Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2016, the UK’s largest regional manufacturing technology, electronics and sub-contracting exhibition, returns to FIVE, Farnborough, from 9-11 February.
The first industry exhibition of the calendar year, Southern Manufacturing will provide an early opportunity for visitors to see and compare the latest machines and technologies on offer from many of Europe’s top manufacturers and dealers. Among the major machine brands present will be XYZ Machine Tools, Hurco Europe, Yamazaki Mazak, Haas Automation, Dugard, Matsuura, Bystronic, GF Machining Solutions and Geo Kingsbury.
The Machinery Area will be at the heart of the show. It will feature continuous live demonstrations where visitors can get a feel for the machinery in action; and it will not just be the high-end high-price products dominating proceedings. A broad range of machinery will be on display, from entry-level and compact solutions to the latest ‘state of the art’ machines.
Running alongside the show will be a programme of free technical seminars in two lecture theatres. These will cover an extensive range of business and technical subjects, from CE Marking to the latest additive manufacturing advances — all delivered by experts in their fields.
The size of the show and the new three-day format have encouraged greater involvement by firms from continental Europe, offering interesting options for the near-sourcing of components. Southern Manufacturing is one of only a handful of events where it is possible to meet such a variety of suppliers in just one visit.
FIVE is easily accessible by road and public transport. The show is free to enter, and on-site parking is also free; moreover, a free shuttle bus service operates between the show and Farnborough’s railway stations.
Full information on the show and the seminar programme, including on-line registration, can be found at the Web site (
www.industrysouth.co.uk). Visitors can also keep up with all the latest news on the show blog site (
blog.industrysouth.co.uk), on Twitter or by joining the Southern Manufacturing LinkedIn group (
linkedin.industrysouth.co.uk).
Machining technologies
XYZ Machine Tools (
www.xyzmachinetools.com) will be displaying its SMX 3500 bed mill and SLX 355 lathe on stand S122. Both machines come with the company’s ProtoTrak control system, which offers a range of conversational cycles, making it suitable for one-off and small batch quantities.
These machines can be operated without any knowledge of CNC, with operators producing parts within a day with minimal training. The XYZ bed mills and SLX lathes provide a robust machining platform with substantial Meehanite cast bases, Turcite B-coated bedways on the mills, and extra-wide V and flat bedways on the lathes. Also on display will be the new 2-OP portable vertical machining centre, which features the ProtoTrak control, making it fully compatible with existing XYZ machines. This VMC can bring cellular manufacturing to virtually any machine shop. For those looking for full CNC machines, the company will also be displaying an XYZ 710 VMC vertical machining centre and an XYZ Compact Turn 52 turning centre with Siemens control.
Dugard (
www.dugard.com) will be highlighting its Lunan range of cost-effective vertical machining centres and CNC lathes on stand M14. The new SS1263L VMC is a high-speed machine with a 12,000rev/min BT40 direct-drive spindle, roller linear ways, refrigerated ballscrews, 30-tool ATC, 1,200mm of X-axis travel and 630mm of Y-axis travel. The company’s range is available to buy from its on-line shop (a href="http://shop.dugard.com">shop.dugard.com) and there is an on-line ‘offer system’ for used machines.
Geo Kingsbury (
www.geokingsbury.com) will be promoting its LPM (large prismatic machines) division on stand N98. SHW, F Zimmermann, Burkhardt + Weber and Waldrich Coburg are the German manufacturers of big-capacity machining centres and flexible manufacturing systems for which Geo Kingsbury acts as sole sales and service agent throughout the UK and Ireland. The latest Waldrich Coburg agency adds new machine types to the Geo Kingsbury product range — namely, large-capacity vertical turning lathes and grinding machines. Smaller metal-cutting equipment in the company’s portfolio will be highlighted, including the Hermle range of three- to five-axis machining centres, as well as the single-spindle and multi-spindle CNC lathe ranges from Index and its subsidiary Traub.
Amada (
www.amada.co.uk) — on stand N85/86 — will be featuring its 2,500W Quattro entry-level laser, which is designed to offer both low operating costs and the flexibility to tackle all processing tasks from sample parts to batch manufacture. The company is also exhibiting its best-selling second-generation HFE MKII 5012 press brake, which has a larger open height and throat depth, a narrower and lower beam, and more distance between the side frames. Power-saving technology includes a new drive system that reduces energy consumption by up to 20%, while also reducing maintenance requirements.
Matsuura (
www.matsuura.co.uk) returns to the show (on stand R86) with its MX-520, which is one of the fastest-selling five-axis machine tools in the company’s history, being a popular choice for manufacturers making the transition from three- to five-axis machining. The single table MX-520 will feature a 20,000rev/min spindle and a 60-tool carousel. Product experts will be on the stand to answer any questions.
Hurco Europe (
www.hurco.com) will be showcasing a production cell for small batches on stand N7. The two-machine cell will be under power and cutting metal; it will consist of a VM10i machining centre (with a very compact footprint) that has X/Y/Z travels of 660 x 406 x 508mm, plus a compact, powerful TM6i lathe.
Over on stand R110,
GF Machining Solutions (
www.gfms.com/uk) will be showing the new AgieCharmilles Cut E350 wire-cut EDM machine for the first time in the UK. This compact rigidly built machine is designed for precision-component manufacturers and tool makers. Features include an HMI (human/machine interface) control for easy operation and an integrated collision protection system designed to eliminate collision-related downtime, as well as damage to the machine and workpiece. Also on the stand will be a Mikron HEM 500U. This offers simultaneous five-axis machining, as well as a 3+2 capability, and it is equipped with a powerful 12,000rev/min StepTec spindle for fast material removal rates. There is a 30-position tool changer for high productivity, plus linear scales, probes and Smart software for increased accuracy and process reliability.
On stand Q122,
Yamazaki Mazak (
www.mazakeu.co.uk) will be exhibiting the new Integrex i-200ST, the latest version of its flagship Integrex i-series range. Equipped with the new SmoothX CNC system, this advanced multi-tasking machine features added bed length for machining long complex workpieces with reduced interference between the turning and milling heads. Productivity is enhanced with the use of a 22kW 5,000rev/min main turning spindle and an 18.5kW 5,000rev/min sub-spindle for true ‘done in one’ capability. Complex workpieces, including those requiring simultaneous five-axis machining, can be machined by virtue of the machine’s fully contouring B axis; this offers 240deg of rotation and houses a 22kW 12,000rev/min milling spindle that accommodates the most demanding of materials.
Matchmaker CNC (
www.matchmakermc.co.uk), on stand R116, offers CNC machine tools from leading manufacturers including Mitsubishi, Unisign, Tongtai, Honor, Yada, Kiwa, Tsugami and Fadal. The company also has a service and spare-parts division.
JHP Machine Sales (
www.jhpengineeringservices.co.uk) will be unveiling a range of machine tools from Italy’s Echo Research and Development on stand U103. Seen for the first time in the UK, the EchoEnd range includes CNC machining centres, lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, press brakes and grinding machines. Also on show will be a selection of tube-cutting machines from Dutch manufacturer Bewo Cutting Systems, for which JHP offers sales and support in the UK. The product range includes automatic sawing machines for diameters from 8 to 115mm, integrated deburring machines, integrated washing machines and manual circular saws.
Supporting technologies
Other areas of interest at Southern Manufacturing include metrology, CAD/CAM, tooling, 3-D printing, laser marking and sub-contracting.
On stand R122,
Delcam (
www.delcam.com) will demonstrate the 2016 releases of the company’s feature-based programming system FeatureCAM, along with its PowerMill CAM system for high-speed and five-axis machining.Some of the most important enhancements in FeatureCAM 2016 are further improvements to the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy. Vortex gives the fastest safe metal removal from solid-carbide tools, in particular those that take deeper cuts by using the full flute length at the cutting surface. It produces tool-paths with a controlled engagement angle and so maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the complete roughing cycle, giving faster machining and longer tool life. The main new option in PowerMill 2016 is the ability to mirror complete machining projects in one operation (previously, only individual tool-paths could be mirrored) and to automatically maintain the machining characteristics (for example, to specify automatically whether climb or conventional milling should be used in each section of the tool-path).
Bowers Group (
www.bowers.co.uk), a leading supplier of metrology instruments, will be exhibiting new products on stand R139; these will include the new Sylvac Scan Vision System and the Baty R400 with FT2E touch-screen display. Bowers Group will also be showing a variety of Sylvac products, including the Sylvac range of Bluetooth data transmission hand tools (which includes calipers, micrometers and digital indicators), along with ultra-light digital calipers and ultra-light digital universal beam gauges. The Trimos V5 manual/motorised digital height gauge and the Diavite VHF surface-roughness tester will also be on display, as will a selection of new Bowers XT3 Bluetooth and XT analogue bore gauge systems.
Eclipse Magnetics (
www.eclipsemagnetics.com) will be showcasing its expertise in the design and manufacture of high-performance customised magnetic solutions on stand P140. Visitors will have the opportunity to find out more about the company’s in-house magnetics expertise and the full range of standard and bespoke magnetic solutions that can be integrated into customers’ existing or new designs.
Eclipse Magnetics also provides a range of electromagnets that are compact and lightweight while retaining high-performance magnetic capabilities. A range of magnetic lifting and work-holding products will be on display.
Zoller (
www.zoller-uk.com) will be at Southern Manufacturing demonstrating its Venturion tool pre-setter and tool management software on stand R127. The pre-setter offers enhanced structural integrity to accommodate tooling weights up to 200kg, and setting accuracies of just 2µm can be achieved. Also on display will be intuitive tool management software that complements measurement machines with advanced CAM interfaces, vending solutions, ERP integration and much more.
The SmartScope Flash 200 will be highlighted by
OGP (
www.ogpuk.com) on stand T127. This ‘full-featured’ automatic measurement system is the smallest member of the Flash family. Innovative design features include an ‘elevating bridge’ and an embedded computer that mean the system takes up little space on a bench-top, while providing an ample 8 x 8in x 6in measuring range and extensive measurement capabilities. Also on display will be Zone3 measurement software. With built-in 3-D animations, it clearly displays relationships between parts, sensors, datum alignments and machine tooling. This ‘easy to use’ software can automatically and effortlessly generate measurement routines using CAD models.
MecWash (
www.mecwash.co.uk) will be demonstrating its Duo component-cleaning system on stand T79. This versatile and cost-effective system is popular with manufacturers operating in sectors that demand high standards of cleanliness, including the aerospace and automotive sectors. The company has a customer list that includes Parker Hannifin, Precision Products, Pall Filtration and Eaton Aerospace. Managing director John Pattison says: “Our machines are high-quality and built to last. When customers invest in a MecWash system, they can be confident that they’ll get consistently high cleanliness standards for many years to come.”
Q8 Oils (
www.Q8Oils.co.uk) will be promoting its recently launched products and service-led initiatives on stand T134. Since Q8 Brunel was launched in early 2015, the company has continued development of its water-soluble machining and grinding fluids and can now offer 10 grades in a range that has been developed to out-perform all other fluids.All grades are suitable for use in hard or soft water; and with ultra-low foaming properties, they are ideal for high-speed machining applications and the high fluid delivery pressures found on modern machine tools. The range is also designed to be fully compliant with the latest European industry legislation. Also being promoted is Q8 Berlioz, a range of soluble cutting and grinding fluids developed to be tolerant to both hard and soft water and free of formaldehyde, chlorine and secondary amines. Each of the six grades in the range has been specifically formulated for the light- to heavy-duty machining of numerous ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys. Q8 Oils is continuing to promote its ‘Challenge’ initiative; launched in early 2015, this offers new customers the opportunity to trial Q8 metal-working fluids in their own machine shops on a payment-by-results basis. Another service-led initiative being promoted is QCare, which allows the company’s field service technicians to monitor fluids, complete audits and deliver results while still on site.
Direct Filtration (
www.directfiltration.co.uk), a trading division of oil mist filters specialist Filtermist, will be demonstrating its expertise in process filters, air filter media and hydraulic filters on stand Q134. Direct Filtration caters for gravity, vacuum, pressure and hydrostatic systems; it specialises in supplying filters for applications that include grinding, honing, lapping, cutting and more. It works with a wide range of customers across all manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical and food production.
Vision Engineering (
www.visioneng.co.uk), on stand M73, is launching two new visual inspection microscopes with the introduction of the EVO Cam full-HD digital microscope and Lynx EVO eyepiece-less stereo microscope. Specifically designed for quality control, testing, inspection and documentation, the new EVO Cam digital microscope brings to life a macroscopic world in stunning detail, with one-button image capture, magnification options up to 300x and full auto focus to ensure ultra-sharp imaging at all times. It is the most advanced eyepiece-less stereo microscope Vision Engineering has ever made. By dramatically simplifying hand-eye co-ordination tasks, Lynx EVO allows operators to maintain the highest levels of performance, even across an entire shift — enhancing productivity and reducing costs.
On stand U73,
Aberlink (
www.aberlink.com) will be demonstrating its recently launched Axiom Too HS co-ordinate measuring machine, which is the high-specification variant of the best-selling Axiom Too CMM. Along with an enhanced accuracy specification, the speed of the Axiom Too HS allows it to undertake a high number of inspection tasks in a fraction of the time normally taken. The latest release of Aberlink’s popular 3-D CNC review software will be making its debut. In addition to touch-trigger probing and vision measurement, the MkIV version of the software supports the extremely accurate and rapid scanning of features and profiles. It also has an improved CAD comparison module and an easy-to-use ‘off-line programming from CAD’ software module.
Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) (
www.itc-ltd.co.uk), on stand P134, will exhibit its new line of high-performance solid-carbide and indexable milling, drilling, turning, boring, tool-holding and threading products. ITC is a UK distributor of products from globally renowned manufacturers such as Widia, BIG Kaiser and Micro 100. As a UK manufacturer, the company will be introducing its three-fluted 3091-series cutters, which offer rapid material removal rates and long tool life when cutting aluminium. To complement the ITC range, the Widia VariMill II ER and the Widia Victory high-performance milling cutter for shoulder-milling, slotting, pocket-milling, ramping and helical interpolation will be on display. The performance of these product lines can be enhanced by robust tool-holding from BIG Kaiser.
Faro (
www.faro.com) will be showcasing a wide range of metrology products on stand T61. These will include the advanced Faro Edge Scan Arm HD, which is designed to scan challenging materials at high speed while achieving high-definition data. The addition of the Faro Laser Line Probe to the Edge adds significant non-contact 3-D scanning capabilities for the detailed measurement of surface form; it also provides the perfect portable combination of contact and non-contact capabilities. Meanwhile, the Faro Prime offers the highest FaroArm accuracy at a cost-effective price; it is suitable for inspection measurements, reverse engineering and CAD-to-part analysis — plus other situations where high-accuracy hard-probing measurement solutions are needed.
Visitors can also see the Faro Gage measuring arm (an accurate 3-D gauge for smaller applications) and the Faro Vantage (an advanced tracker that offers large-volume-measurement laser-tracker technology).
On stand P67,
Moore International (
www.mooreinternational.co.uk) will be showing its full range of ballscrews and leadscrews from Swiss manufacturer Eichenberger Gewinde, along with the new range of Schneeberger products. The company can now provide high-precision German-made linear rail and carriage assemblies in a wide variety of sizes from stock, for next-day delivery.
Quickgrind (
www.quickgrind.com) will be exhibiting its QPlus range of four-flute general-purpose solid-carbide tools on stand P61. The end mills are significantly longer than most off-the-shelf tools and have a special coating to reduce wear and maximise tool life. The QPlus range is designed to give customers flexibility with multiple roughing and finishing applications across a variety of component materials. The tools can be reground up to seven times to their original quality using Quickgrind’s remanufacturing service, resulting in savings in excess of 50% on tool costs while maintaining ‘as new’ performance.
Schunk (
www.gb.schunk.com) will be exhibiting a host of new products as well as some of its established work-holding lines on stand S110. The Tribos system wil take pride of place, and the latest interfaces will be on show. The Tribos-Mini has been designed for high-speed micro applications and can now be integrated with a high-speed HSK-E spindle interface. Schunk believes that this newly standardised interface is superior to many short-taper interfaces, due to its accuracy at high speeds. In addition, it needs much less space than the HSK-E 25 interface. Meanwhile, Schunk has designed the robust Tribos-RM with an extended ‘L1’ dimension of 78mm, making it particularly suitable for high-efficiency five-axis machining. Of interest to those involved in aerospace and composites machining will be the the Tendo E Compact hydraulic expansion tool-holder. Capable of reducing set-up times by up to 60% while accommodating up to 2,000Nm of torque, the Tendo E Compact delivers micron precision for a host of machining applications.
Machinery Market (
www.machinery-market.co.uk) will once again be distributing free copies of the weekly magazine on stand Q139 at Southern Manufacturing. Visitors to the show will find out why Machinery Market is the best place to source new and used machinery (
www.machinery-locator.com) and how it can promote UK manufacturers, machine tool companies and suppliers of related prodution equipment to a world-wide audience — in print, digital and online.