The Timtos show held in 2015 smashed all previous records, and it was thought that level of success would be hard to match with the global economy facing a downturn, but when the doors closed on Timtos 2017 (the 26th of these events), figures released by the show organisers — Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) — showed that more records had been broken.

The 1,100 exhibitors (1,015 in 2015) occupied 5,430 booths (5411) and attracted more than 7,300 foreign visitors — an increase of 3%. Moreover, 330 of the exhibitors were from overseas, giving an indication of the importance of manufacturing in Taiwan.

The top 10 countries for foreign visitors were China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, India, the USA, Turkey, Singapore and Russia. In total, the show attracted 50,146 visitors. It was not just the number of visitors that was noteworthy, but also the level of business that was concluded at the show.

For example, Kao Ming received a significant order from a Chinese manufacturer of automotive moulded parts on the second day of the show; the company also received a substantial number of enquiries from overseas visitors, including from South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. The company’s general manager says he is confident that many of these enquiries will result in firm orders.

Foreign buyers also gave positive feedback on the exhibits, with buyers from Olsons Maskinservice AB, Sweden, saying they discover something new every time they visit Timtos. They also said that while Taiwanese machines compare favorably with those from European and American manufacturers, they are more cost-competitive.

To help buyers make the best use of their time, the organisers had arranged some 200 Procurement Meetings, at which 100 exhibitors and 37 ‘high-level’ buyers from 17 countries were able to meet and discuss business opportunities.

For example, Anatoliy Rudenko from Rosmark-Steel in Russia had arrangements made for him to to meet suppliers of bandsawing machinery and large-capacity water-jet machines with table lengths up to 18m.

He said Timtos had been “an outstanding platform for cultivating and furthering business relations”. Meanwhile, Tormach LLC, a manufacturer of grinding machines and milling machines, was able to meet manufacturers of work-holding equipment, machine vices, modular cutting tools and specific types of CNC machines.

Summit talks

A first for Timtos was the Summit. Held at the Taipei International Convention Centre to highlight the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ and the continuing development of the automotive and aerospace industries, this event attracted eight speakers from a number of industry ‘giants’.

These included Cisco (a world-wide leader in IT and networking), Siemens, Kuka and Mercedez-Benz, with speakers sharing their knowledge and thoughts on ‘Smart Machines’, ‘Smart Factories’, the ‘Automotive Manufacturing Revolution’ and the ‘Aerospace Supply Chain’, with audiences of more than 500 people.

Yih-Jyh Kang, executive director of TAITRA, said many exhibitors had demonstrated manufacturing equipment that combined ICT (information and communication technology) with industrial robots, ‘big data’, the IoT, and ‘cloud’ control devices.

For example, FFG was showing a ‘smart’ production line that is based on Industry 4.0 principles and can be used in a variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, transportation, mould making and consumer electronics.

At the summit, Ken Chen, president of Siemens Ltd, spoke on the topic ‘Paving the way to future smart machines’, in which he discussed building manufacturing processes that automatically improve themselves as a result of their ‘experiences’. Meanwhile, Cisco’s Bryce Barnes spoke about ‘How the Internet of Things will transform the global machine’.

He mentioned that while ‘connected’ machines offer huge opportunities, 92% of machines remain isolated, and most CNC machines are still operator-driven.

Jeng-Shyong Chen, a professor at the department of mechanical engineering at the National Chung-Husing University discussed ‘Digital and intelligent machine tool technology’ and considered trends in conventional metal machining and 3-D printing.

He also spoke about the move from aluminium to composites in the manufacture of aircraft, from metal cases to ceramic cases for mobile phones — and said that the increasing sales of electric vehicles will see a move to composite frames instead of metal ones.

Global supply chains

Alex Ko, who is chairman of TAMI and established its Intelligent Machines committee in 2015, said that the association is co-operating with industry, academia and research institutes to “propel co-study and cross-industrial collaboration”, adding that to date 12 member companies have established ‘Smart Machinery’ demonstration factories.

He also spoke about the role Taiwanese machine tool manufacturers play in global supply chains. “We already have a firm foothold in the automotive and consumer electronics supply chains, and as we solidify our share of the machine tool market, we see opportunities in the aerospace industry.

The demand for aircraft will double in the next 20 years, creating a US$5 trillion business opportunity and a 10% increase in the demand for machine tools. In November last year, we signed a contract with the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation aimed at assisting machine tool suppliers to expand their businesses in this sector.”

David Chuang, vice-chairman of TAMI, added that this foray into aerospace will be a driving force behind a new generation of machine tools. “Looking ahead, we are quite upbeat about demand from the aerospace and automotive industries. The Trump administration’s efforts to bring manufacturing jobs back to the USA will create a new wave of demand for machinery equipment.

“Nearer to home, China remains the largest market for Taiwan-made machine tools, and the outlook there is also promising. At Dahlih, our Chinese operations grew last year, despite the weakness in the overall market. This is largely due to a strong demand for moulds and CNC machines — an indication that China’s manufacturers are looking to upgrade their capabilities.”

Facts and figures

In 2016, Taiwan exported machine tools to the value of US$2,896.966 million — a decrease of 9.6% on the previous year. Of this total, metal-forming machinery comprised US$510.043 million (-5.4%). The largest market was China, which at US$892.701 million (-6.7% on 2015) took 30.8% of machinery exports.

Second was the USA (US$346.605 million) followed by Turkey, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam and the Netherlands. The biggest individual drop was the UK, which imported machinery to the value of US$46.481 million — 1.6% of the overall exports and a drop of 26.6% compared with 2015.

In contrast, Taiwan imported machinery worth US$722.404 million in 2016, down 1.2% on the previous year. Metal-forming machinery made up US$90.751 million of this total.

The overall largest percentage (48.1%) came from Japan (-11.6% in value compared with 2015), followed by Germany (+20.6%), China (-18.6%), the USA (+54.5%), Switzerland (+16.8%), and Thailand (+107.1%). Imports from the UK were worth US$3.337 million (-45.7%).

Speaking about this years’ performance, CC Wang — president of TAMI — said that exports of machine tools from Taiwan in January this year reached US$243.42 million for a 12.9% year-on-year growth, adding that as well as the machine tool industry facing complex global challenges, “the depreciation level of the Japanese yen has exceeded 50%, which can affect international buyers’ decisions on purchasing Taiwanese machine tools.”

The largest export destination in January was China, with a value of US$64.9 million accounting for 26.5% of the total value. This represented a year-on-year growth of 3.9%.

The second-largest destination was the USA, with a value of US$28.08 million; this represented 11/5% of the total value and a year-on-year growth of 1.6%. The USA was followed by Turkey, Germany, Korea, Thailand and India; the UK was in 16th position.

Five-axis winner

YCM — represented in the UK by Yeovil-based YMT LTD (www.ymtltd.co.uk) — won TAMI’s Supreme Excellence Award 2017 for Excellence in Research and Innovation for its NFP 500A-5AX-T Smart, a multi-tasking mill-turn machining centre.

This five-axis double-column machine, which has an automatic pallet changer and is designed to meet the accuracy requirements of aerospace applications, features high levels of rigidity and torque, allowing it to machine heat-resistant metals such as titanium and Inconel, while at the same time achieving good tool life.

It also features YCM’s latest iPros MX ‘intelligent’ CNC system, which includes ‘smart’ functions designed to automatically optimise machining efficiency, maximise tool life and instantly monitor the ‘health’ of the machine. Also included is a ‘total solution’ for countering thermal issues — heat suppression, heat removal and thermal compensation.

The NFP500A-5AX-T is equipped with a 24,000rev/ min built-in HSK A63 spindle, plus a new five-axis rotary table with direct-drive high-torque motors and a braking system. It offers a work envelope of 700 x 1,000 x 500mm and rapid rates of 50m/min for the linear axes.

YCM also demonstrated its latest IoT solution. Called i-Direct, this allows machine shop managers and owners to easily track production status, manage factory utilisation and monitor Overall Equipment Effectiveness, while identifying production bottlenecks and allowing continuous improvement in productivity.

To take full advantage of this capability, YCM has been incorporating ‘intelligent’ functions into its machines. These include ‘intelligent’ spindles and drive systems that automatically enhance machining time, minimise machining vibration to achieve optimal surface finish and tool life, schedule maintenance requirements and even predict possible failures.

YCM also demonstrated an automated machining cell comprising a TV-850B vertical machining centre, an NXV-106A vertical machining centre, a Mitutoyo CNC CMM and a Fanuc robot for handling ‘palleted components’ from a pallet store. The company also showed the latest Ariel motorcycle and its frame as an example of what can be achieved using the latest machining and CAM technology.

High fives

With the increasing emphasis in Taiwan on aerospace and mould-making applications, Timtos highlighted a significant number of newly developed five-axis machines of various types. Apec, a subsidiary of the Tongtai Group, launched its G2540 — a five-axis high-speed gantry-type machining centre.

This has two heads that can be changed automatically: one is an in-line vertical head with an HSK100A 12,000rev/min 54/70kW spindle for roughing operations; the other is a two-axis head (for five-axis machining capability) with an HSK63A 20,000rev/min 35/42kW spindle for finishing operations (this offers ±125deg of movement for the A axis and ±200deg for the C axis).

Other features include a U-frame structure for optimal rigidity and stability, high-speed linear drives (ballscrew for the Z axis), and a machine vision system for ‘safety monitoring’. A variety of axis travels can be specified, ranging up to 3,000mm in X (with further extensions in 1,000mm increments), up to 4,000mm in Y and up to 2,000mm in Z.

Being shown by Pinnacle, which is represented in the UK by Axe & Status, Milton Keynes (www.axestatus.com), was the BX500T five-axis vertical machining centre.

Marketed in the UK under the Target brand, this features a swivel head with a direct drive and a rotary table with direct drive; this table has a maximum speed of 800rev/min (1,200rev/min if the turning function is selected).

Travels in X and Y are 1,400 and 710mm respectively; the travel in Z is 680mm with the head vertical and 810mm with the head horizontal. The 15,000rev/min spindle is rated at 19/23kW, and a Heidenhain iTNC530 offers full five-axis simultaneous control.

L&L Machinery Industry Co Ltd — represented in the UK by Axe & Status — showed machines from its LL series of large-capacity CNC turning and boring lathes. Featuring a substantial Meehanite cast bed, the three models in the range — LL550, LL750 and LL950 — have maximum cutting diameters of 550, 750 and 950mm respectively.

Distances between centres range from 3,000 to 10,000mm for the 550 and 750 models and from 3,000 to 16,000mm for the 950 model. As standard, the spindle is rated at 22/26kW, with 30/37 or 37/45kW available as options. These ratings are based on Fanuc drives; Fagor and Siemens drives can also be specified.

The geared headstock provides four speed ranges, the top being 9-600 rev/min and the lowest 5-250rev/min. Various turrets, including those with driven tools, are available, as are hydraulic and manual steady rests, as well as boring-bar attachments. Meanwhile, SFM — represented in the UK by Ward Hi-Tech — showed its CST-5080 heavy-duty lathe.

A fully enclosed model with a one-piece structure, this offers good access via wide sliding doors and features high-pressure coolant, as well as front and rear swarf conveyors.

With regard to capacities, the machine has a swing over the bed of 1,270mm (880mm over the cross slide) and a maximum distance between centres of 2,000mm. The spindle, which has a 153mm-diameter through bore and an A2-11 spindle nose, accommodates a 1,000mm-diameter three-jaw hydraulic chuck and is powered by a Fanuc 50hp AC motor.

Machines in the CST range offer swings over the bed of 730-3,000mm, distances between centres of 1,000-15,000mm and spindle bores of 105-660mm.

Another five-axis machine from Pinnacle was the LX100. Featuring a direct-drive B-axis swivelling milling head and twin direct-drive rotary tables, this machine is designed for machining long and narrow complex parts such as gas and steam turbine blades, as well as automotive crankshafts.

It has a work envelope of 1,000 x 400 x 400mm and a B-axis swivel of ±120deg; the C axis has a maximum rotation speed of 400rev/min. The ISO40 spindle has a maximum speed of 15,000rev/min and is rated at 15/19kW. Control is via a Heidenhain TNC640 CNC system.

‘Intelligent’ machining

Branded as an ‘intelligent’ machining centre, the 5A-650F from Hartford — represented in the UK by Sheffield-based TW Ward CNC Machinery Ltd (www.wardcnc.com) — is a high-speed five-axis machine that features a bridge-type construction and a large span between the Y-axis linear guideways for maximum structural rigidity and resistance to heavy cutting loads; and with thermal symmetry and a design that isolates heat, the effects of temperature variation are minimised (parts in the linear-axis feed systems — the motor base, ballscrews, ballscrew nuts and bearings — are cooled).

The machine offers a work envelope of 660 x 550 x 460mm, and a 650mm-diameter working surface with a maximum load of 300kg. The DDS40 spindle can be specified with speeds of 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000rev/min, while the option of Hartford’s i-Tech spindle gives a maximum speed of 24,000rev/min and a number of additional functions such as i-Diagnosis, i-Compensation, i-Balance and i-Protection. Typical parts produced on this machine include impellers, complex moulds and aerospace components.

Also from Hartford was the HSA220EAY, a multi-face double-column machining centre with a work envelope of 2,000 x 2,800 x 1,000mm (optionally 1,200mm), a 2,000 x 1,800mm table (max load 8,000kg), and a 50-taper geared spindle with a maximum speed of 6,000rev/min; there is also the option of a Hartford i-Tech spindle with a maximum speed of 10,000rev/min.

The show machine was fitted with a twin fourth-axis set-up and an A/C universal head (automatic head changing can be specified). The demonstration component being machined was a very complex ‘Sky Tree’ with extremely fine detail.

Recently launched by Takisawa Taiwan was the FX-800, a twin-spindle twin-turret turning centre. Available in the UK from TW Ward CNC Machinery Ltd, this machine has been designed to optimise thermal characteristics and rigidity (the Z axis has linear guideways, while the X and Y axes have box guideways).

The upper and lower turrets both have a 16-tool capacity and a large-diameter coupling for maximum rigidity; driven tools are powered by a 3.7/5.5kW motor to a maximum speed of 4,000rev/min. Meanwhile, the main spindle (65mm-diameter bore) is rated at 11/15kW (4,500rev/min), and the sub-spindle (52mm-diameter bore) is rated at 7.5/11kW (5,000rev/min). With regard to maximum capacities, the turning diameter is 260mm and the turning length is 657mm.

Double-column designs

Also highlighting several double-column machining centres was Kafo, which is represented in the UK by Rugby-based TDT Technology Ltd (www.tdt-technology.co.uk). A new addition to the manufacturer’s BMC range of machines, and coming in at the lower end of the size range, the BMC-2012 features a BT50 gear-driven spindle with a maximum speed of 6,000rev/min and is aimed at the mould-making and aerospace industries, as well as automotive; like other BMC machines, it has a thermo-symmetric box-design bed.

The work envelope is 2,100 x 1,200 x 800mm, with table dimensions of 2,000 x 1,100mm and 1,350mm between the columns. Roller linear guideways are fitted to the X and Y axes (20m/min rapid rate), while the Z axis features box ways (15m/min rapid rate). There is a 30-tool ATC, and control is via a Mitsubishi M80.

Also featuring a double-column design, Kafo’s PV-58 is a compact high-speed VMC that is targeted at manufacturers in the aerospace and communications industries — plus others.

It has a built-in MAS BBT-40 spindle with a top speed of 20,000rev/min, ball-type linear guideways on the three linear axes, a work envelope of 560 x 460 x 460mm, and a 760 x 460mm table with a maximum load capacity of 500kg. The rapid-traverse rate is 40m/min in X and Y (32m/min in Z). There is a 32-tool chain-type ATC, and control is via a Fanuc 31i-MB.

At Timtos, Michael Chen, the general manager of Vision Wide Tech Co Ltd, signed an agreement with Alan Hill, managing director of Ward HiTech (www.wardhitech.co.uk), for the Sheffield-based company to sell and support its double-column machining centres in the UK — including the newly launched FA-3123.

This high-speed high-accuracy five-axis machining centre for multi-face and surface machining features a Cytec S8 two-axis spindle — an HSK-A63 unit with a maximum speed of 20,000rev/min and a power rating of 20/26kW (33/42Nm of torque).

The work envelope is 3,100x 1,600 (optionally 2,300) x 800mm (optionally 1,000mm), and the 3,000 x 1,500mm table accommodates loads up to 10,000kg. The maximum cutting feed rate is 10m/min, and the rapid-traverse rate is 24m/min (15m/min in Z). The machine offers a positioning accuracy (JIS B6333) of ±0.005mm/300mm and ±0.015mm over the full travel; repeatability is ±0.003mm.

Standard features of the FA-3123 include cooling for the spindle, a thermal compensation system for the spindle and machine structure, a rotation compensation device for the two-axis head, cutting vibration protection for the spindle, and linear-scale feedback for the X, Y and Z axes. Control is via a Heidenhain i-TNC530 CNC system.

Ward Hi-Tech also represents the Taiwanese machine tool manufacturer Dahlih, which launched its DMX-500 at Timtos. This four-/five-axis machine has a 500mm-diameter table with full 360deg rotation and +30/-120deg of tilt, roller-type linear ways, a work envelope of 600 x 900 x 560mm, rapids of 30m/min and a maximum cutting feed rate of 20m/min.

As standard, a direct-drive NT40 spindle is fitted; this is rated at 11kW, has a top speed of 12,000rev/min and is fitted with a cooling device. Control is via a Fanuc 0iMF. Options include: 15,000, 20,000 and 24,000rev/min spindles; five-axis simultaneous motion; through-spindle coolant; and ballscrew cooling.

Dahlih also demonstrated one of its MCV 1060 vertical machining centres working in conjunction with a Fanuc robot for automated loading and unloading for fully unmanned operation.

Multi-tasking machines

Victor (www.victorcnc.com), which has a UK subsidiary in Rochdale, demonstrated its VMT-X400 — a large-capacity multi-tasking milling and turning centre with twin built-in spindles and a swivel milling head for undertaking 4+1-axis machining in a single set-up. Also featured are Meehanite castings for the substantial machine bed and other major structural elements.

The HSK-T63 12,000rev/min B-axis spindle, which is rated at 37kW, has a roller-cam drive that gives ±120deg indexing; it also incorporates a curvic coupling.

The main spindle and the second spindle are both rated at 22/30kW and have a top speed of 3,000rev/min. The swing over the bed is 1,120mm, the maximum turning length is 2,100mm, and the maximum turning diameter is 720mm (this is reduced to 555mm if the optional nine-station lower turret is specified).

Also supplied as standard are high-pressure coolant and a spindle cooler system; options include a Renishaw automatic tool pre-setter, through-spindle coolant, steady rest and bar feeder interface. As standard, control is via a Fanuc 31i-B, although a Fanuc 31i-B5 can be specified if simultaneous five-axis machining is a requirement.

Also being demonstrated by Victor was an automated turning cell for unmanned operation. This comprised a pair of Vturn-NP16 lathes connected by a compact overhead gantry robot to a component stacking/feeding system (individual machines can also be fitted with an overhead gantry robot, or an articulated-arm robot for picking parts from pallets or vibratory-bowl feeders).

Designed for automation, these lathes feature a one-piece slant bed, are just 1,488mm wide and have a chip conveyor that exits at the rear of the machine. The 6,000rev/min spindle is rated at 5.5kW continuous, and the turret features 12 stations.

The CM version of the machine has a C axis and a driven-tool capability at all 12 stations; drive to these tools is rated at 2.2kW 4,000rev/min as standard (6,000rev/min optional). The maximum turning diameter is 260mm (200mm on the CM version), and the maximum between-centres distance is 270mm.

Automated turning was also demonstrated by Hardinge, which is represented in the UK by the Engineering Technology Group (www.engtechgroup.com). The company showed a Talent GT42 with a robot located within the machine structure.

Particular features of this machine include a vertical X axis for optimal coolant flow and swarf disposal, while the design of the Y axis (-30mm to +110mm of stroke) allows a large number of tools to be accommodated in a compact area; this Y-axis configuration also provides easy access for fast tool change.

Travels are 345mm for the X axis and 235mm for the Z axis (both have a rapid-traverse rate of 32m/min), while the 6,000rev/min spindle is rated at 7.5kW.

Meanwhile, Tongtai — represented in the UK by Leatherhead-based Matchmaker CNC (www.matchmakercnc.co.uk) — launched its TMS-2000ST.

This twin-spindle lathe with a lower turret and an upper B-axis head that accommodates both turning tools and driven tools, can undertake balanced turning operations and finish-machine complex components (including those with curved surfaces) in the one clamping. The ATC system for the B-axis spindle accommodates up to 80 tools.

Tongtai also demonstrated its AMH-350. This hybrid additive-manufacturing machining centre, which won the 2016 Taiwan Excellence Silver Award, is Taiwan’s first independently researched and developed ‘powder bed fusion additive-manufacturing machine’.

Applications relating to the repair of gas turbine engines have already been developed (including work with a Tier One aero engine manufacturer), and re-work procedures for a number of materials have been established — including IN718, Waspalloy, Rene 77 and Mar-M-247.

With regard to the AM aspects of the machine, it features gas-driven powder delivery (the powder flow rate increases with the laser power), a 1kW laser with a spot size of 670-980µm and a melt-pool diameter in the range 0.3-5mm. The table is 350mm in diameter and has a maximum load capacity of 200kg.

The machine’s subtractive (milling) capabilities are based on a work envelope of 400 x 510 x 510mm, rapids of 36m/min (30m/min for the Z axis), and a 15,000rev/ min (optionally 20,000rev/min) 40-taper spindle rated at 7.5kW continuous. There is a 24-tool ATC, the A axis pivots from +30 to -120deg, and theC axis has 360deg of rotation.

Also on show

Demonstrating a pair of compact vertical turning lathes — left-hand and right-hand versions standing adjacent to each other — was You Ji, which is represented in the UK by Hove-based C Dugard Ltd (www.dugard.com).

The YV420EL and YV420ER feature a 15in-diameter three-jaw chuck, a maximum swing diameter of 700mm, and a maximum turning height and diameter of 400 and 500mm respectively. The spindle offers a speed range of 50-2,500rev/min, and the horizontal turret has eight positions for Capto C5 tooling.

On the EDM front, Chmer was showing a number of machines featuring linear drives. Its RV853L, which recently won a Taiwan Excellence Gold Award, is described by the manufacturer as an ‘intelligent’ linear-motor-driven wire-cut EDM machine with a moving-column structure, remote monitoring functions, a new i8 controller, automatic wire threading (this operation is completed in just 6sec with an almost 100% success rate) and many automation devices.

It also has 32 patents covering its various technologies and is focused on applications in aerospace, energy and large mould manufacturing. The show machine was shown cutting ‘fir tree’ roots on a turbine disc. Chmer also demonstrated a three-axis linear-drive high-speed milling machine.

The HM4030L features a gantry structure that has been optimised for rigidity and low thermal deformation, while the linear drives and linear scales ensure backlash-free high-accuracy movement. Also featured are spindle temperature compensation and Chmer’s own M6H CNC system, which supports five-axis simultaneous movement.

Luren Precision Co Ltd, which joined the Hiwin Group in 2015, showed a number of specialised grinding/gear-cutting machines. The company’s LGA-320 — a CNC ‘continuous generating’ gear-grinding machine — has 10 axes, a maximum wheel speed of 80m/sec and an artificial-granite bed that offers high levels of rigidity and damping, as well as good thermal characteristics.

The show machine was loaded and unloaded by a Hiwin multi-joint robot. Meanwhile, the LVC-100 bevel gear cutter is a five-axis machining centre designed for the fast production of high-precision bevel gears. It can rough-machine, finish-machine and even undertake on-line measuring — automatically — in the one set-up.

Furthermore, all the machine’s components, including the Intek CNC system, are made in Taiwan. Also being shown was Luren’s LWT-2080 worm and thread grinding machine. The type of high-precision components this machine can produce in high volumes include those used in automotive electric power-steering systems. To support unmanned operation and high throughput, the machine is fitted with a Hiwin SCARA-type robot.