MACH 2016 
The Southam-based Engineering Technology Group (
www.engtechgroup.com) reports a very positive response to its attendance at
MACH 2016, where it had two stands: one dedicated to machine tools and automation technology, the other to work-holding and fixturing.
Managing director Martin Doyle (pictured) said: “The nature of these shows necessitates considerable investment, so obviously exhibitors are looking for a payback; and while selling machines off the stand grabs a few headlines, the benefits of such sales are far outweighed by the longer-term benefits of new leads and contacts from the show developing into projects and sales down the line.
“Across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — by far the busiest days of the show — our sales and demonstration teams were busy, and the quality of leads in terms of seniority and decision makers was excellent.”
Mr Doyle also highlighted the increasing emphasis on automation, saying that one in three of the machines ETG now supplies is automated.
For example, the Nakamura-Tome AS 200 MY turning centre being demonstrated was fitted with a Halter Load Assistant load/unload unit, which uses a Fanuc robot arm with the Halter ‘smart’ control and ‘smart’ loading system. Featuring conversational robot programming, the system is ideal for manufacturers operating small and medium-size CNC lathes and machining centres.
The machine itself is a single-turret mill/turn centre that features high-performance milling on the Y axis and a 15- or 12/24-station turret. It is also equipped as standard with the NT Work Navigator, which allows component co-ordinates to be set via the Fanuc CNC system.
Making its UK exhibition debut was the Nakamura-Tome NTRX-300, which is described as a fusion between a five-axis machining centre and a lathe. A heavy-duty multi-tasking machine offering the ‘single set-up’ machining of complex high-value components, it features a five-axis capability on both of its twin opposed spindles and an upgradeable 8,000rev/min milling head. The Y-axis stroke is 250mm around the spindle centre-line, while the B axis offers 225deg of rotation.
The maximum turning length is 1,150mm, and the distance between centres is 1,350mm. The exhibition demonstration machine featured an 80mm through-bore bar capacity (a 65mm bore is standard, although larger options are available).
Also on show for the first time was the Chiron FZ12 FX FlexCell Uno. Noted for its speed, compact construction and capability, this machine is designed for high/medium-volume manufacturing environments and for undertaking the machining of complex true five-axis forms and tight geometries with high levels of process stability.
As standard, the FZ12FX FlexCell Uno is equipped with a two-axis tilt/rotary table and Siemens control; it is also suited to ‘lights out’ machining.