Only a few months after announcing the introduction of a number of advanced ‘smart technology performance and connectivity’ options for its rotor-milling and rotor-grinding machines, UK-based Holroyd Precision has completed one of the first models to incorporate the new features.

Purchased by one of Japan’s leading manufacturers of refrigeration compressors, the machine — a 3EX-R rotor-milling machine valued at £1.4 million — will be used to manufacture helical rotors of up to 350mm in diameter.

Steven Benn, Holroyd’s regional sales director, said: “Holroyd machines are renowned for their uncompromising levels of accuracy and build quality, as well as their ability to simplify even the most complex of manufacturing processes.

“Through features such as advanced RFID tagging and IO-Link communication technology, we are now also providing future-proofed manufacturing capability, regardless of an organisation’s individual Industry 4.0 strategy. These are significant features that our Japanese customer was keen to take advantage of.”

Because the new 3EX-R rotor milling machine for the Japanese refrigeration compressor specialist is destined for use in a fully automated production cell, Holroyd believes its RFID tagging capabilities will prove invaluable.

The system has been developed to offer a fool-proof solution to quality control by ensuring that manufacturing cannot commence unless the correct chuck, collet, cutter and tailstock — in fact virtually any component or tooling item that needs to be switched between manufacturing cycles — is in place.

The machine is also the first from Holroyd Precision to incorporate single-cable IO-Link communication technology. Mr Benn said: “The opportunities that IO-Link connectivity provides for process data collection and analysis are immense. We selected IO-Link for its ability to handle vast amounts of data, its recognised capability in providing powerful opportunities for industrial automation and its capacity to communicate at every level, right down to the simplest automation.

“The real benefit will be the opportunity to learn from incredible levels of rich, real-time production and performance data in order to make comparisons that can benefit efficiency, accuracy and quality — and determine trends.”