NCMT Ltd

Okuma brings automation solutions to life at AMB Stuttgart

NCMT Ltd — 25/08/2022

With an impressive range of machinery at the AMB Stuttgart

Okuma brings automation solutions to life

Interested visitors can expect a wide variety of solutions for precise metalworking at AMB Stuttgart at Booth 10C71 with Okuma Deutschland GmbH. At the industry get-together in Stuttgart, from 13 to 17 September 2022, the German representative of the renowned CNC machine tool manufacturer will be presenting innovative automation solutions for a wide range of applications.

Powerful tool machine with exciting insights
Okuma’s GENOS M560-V-e will be a real highlight: The vertical machining centre is being exhibited at the AMB Stuttgart exclusively as a skeleton version without covers. This gives visitors an excellent insight into the design and structure of the machine. It has an extremely stable, double column construction, a fast, durable spindle, and a table size of 1,300 x 560 mm to meet the highest requirements in tool and mould making. At the same time, its high thermal stability ensures exceptional precision, while the intelligent OSP suite makes control simple and convenient. Its powerful performance is improved even more with various machine options such as a tool length measuring device, chip conveyor or zero point and workpiece measurement.

Innovative solution for precise machining
Top productivity, high speed, and cost-effective – even with small workpieces: The horizontal MB-4000H machining centre that is also on display at the AMB in Stuttgart has these advantages. The machine has an integrated tool magazine with up to 326 tool spaces as an option. On top of that, the option of the turn-cut function can be used to ensure that the MB-4000H can handle turning operations with high precision. This then opens up further possibilities including machining asymmetric workpieces. Additional added value is provided by the pallet changer that ensures flexibility and allows set-up in parallel to production time.

Future-proof automation solutions for effective machining
Okuma is supplementing the extensive range of machines at booth 10C71 by two additional automation solutions. Process-intensive complete machining of small to large batch sizes is made possible with the OKUMA MULTUS U4000 2SW 1500 milling and turning centre. It offers maximum turning performance of up to 4,200 rpm and achieves milling performance of 12,000 rpm with the milling spindle thanks to the stable structure of the machine and the particularly powerful main and counter spindles. The MULTUS U4000 2SW 1500 can be extended by the 6-axis robot cell which optimises the efficiency of the machine with automatic gripper change and drawer magazine with five trays.

Okuma will be demonstrating the vertical 5-axis GENOS M460V-5AX machining centre as an additional machine with a robot solution, especially designed for manufacturing high-precision parts. It allows powerful, precise 5-axis machining. Equipped with the auto-tuning system, a hypoid drive in the rotary and swivel axes and Okuma's own thermo-friendly concept for thermal stability, it facilitates automated
5-axis measurement. The GENOS M460V-5AX only takes up a small amount of space thanks to its compact design and stands out by being extremely cost-effective. It demonstrates its advantages at the AMB in combination with the 6-axis robot. It offers, among other things, automated pallet and product loading, automatic gripper change and much more.

For more Info:
https://promo.okuma.eu/de/amb-2022/
Events - NCMT

NCMT signs an exclusive distribution agreement in UK & Ireland with Metal 3D Manufacturing company Tritone Technologies

NCMT Ltd — 09/01/2024

NCMT Limited has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Tritone Technologies, a global leader in additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Specializing in metal and ceramic applications, Tritone is expanding its global presence in the UK and Ireland through this partnership. This partnership enables NCMT to transition significantly from conventional machining solutions to the cutting-edge realm of AM solutions, contributing to Tritone's growing global influence in the region.

“We are excited to start our partnership with Tritone Technologies, seeing them as the owners of a groundbreaking technology poised to influence the AM market in the coming years”, says Jonathan Smart, Managing Director, NCMT. “As a company renowned for its commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology, this strategic move positions NCMT at the forefront of industrial advancement. We are now entering the AM sector, elevating our capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern industry. The integration of Tritone's advanced MoldJet technology not only diversifies our company’s portfolio but also solidifies its position as a leader in shaping the future of precision engineering and manufacturing”.

Tritone has two AM systems in the market, the Dominant and the Dim. The systems are based on Tritone’s MoldJet technology, a “powder-free” innovative additive manufacturing (AM) system that enables industrial production of high-quality metal and ceramic parts at an industrial speed. Designed for producing a large quantity of high-density parts with complex geometries, MoldJet allows a quick and easy changeover between a wide variety of metals and ceramics for parallel manufacturing of parts of various sizes, shapes, and applications.

“We are delighted to join forces with NCMT in a strategic partnership, emphasizing Tritone's commitment to advancing AM on a global scale”, says Omer Sagi, VP Products and Business Development at Tritone. “The decision by NCMT to embrace Tritone's MoldJet technology as their gateway into the AM market is a testament to the innovation and transformative capabilities of our technology. Together, we eagerly anticipate pushing the boundaries of manufacturing excellence and shaping the future of industrial production”.

ABOUT TRITONE TECHNOLOGIES

Tritone Technologies transforms metal Additive Manufacturing to address the demanding standards and needs of industrial production. The company’s innovative technology enables industrial throughput of accurate parts with a range of metal and ceramic materials, suitable for the Automotive, Aerospace, Medical and Consumer Electronics industries. Founded in 2017, Tritone is led by an experienced team of experts with a track record in driving technology and business growth. Backed by private equity firm Fortissimo, Tritone is a global company and is based in Israel with presence in North America and Germany.

Tritone Technologies: www.tritoneAM.com | Info@tritoneAM.com

ABOUT NCMT

NCMT has been distributing and supporting world-class machine tools since its creation in 1964.

The company provides:

Entry level and the highest technology machine tools for metal cutting & grinding applications in the UK & Europe
Engineering solutions from stand-alone machines to complete production lines
The technical knowledge and service support to cover the lifetime of the machine tool solution

Our highly trained technical staff will help you get into production quickly by providing your employees with the support and training they need to ensure the smooth installation and operation of the equipment.

NCMT: info@ncmt.co.uk | https://www.ncmt.co.uk/

Meet NCMT: Your EDM Partner - Part 1

NCMT Ltd — 22/11/2022

In this two-part series, Vicky speaks to Scott & Jon about the world of EDM, their experience within the manufacturing industry, and why when someone purchases a Makino EDM machine from NCMT they are getting much more than just a machine unit.

? Keep your eyes peeled for the release of Part 2!

Meet NCMT: Your EDM Partner - Part 2

NCMT Ltd — 05/12/2022

In this two-part series, Vicky speaks to Scott & Jon about the world of EDM, their experience within the manufacturing industry, and why when someone purchases a Makino EDM machine from NCMT they are getting much more than just a machine unit.

The Midlands Pop-Up Event 18th - 19th of October

NCMT Ltd — 11/10/2023

NCMT would like to invite you to our casual pop up event, highlighting our Okuma entry level range available in the UK and Ireland, with the opportunity to speak in greater detail to our Midlands Sales Team and view other machines availale at our Technical Centre. Pop in for a coffee, cake and catch up with our Sales Team. Learn more about Okuma and their #affordableexcellence GENOS range of #cncmachines ?

Location: Coventry Technical Centre, Siskin Drive, Middlemarch, Coventry, CV3 4FJ
Date: 18th / 19th
Time: 9am - 3pm

Register your interest by scanning the QR code or clicking the link to fill out our registration form ✍️ https://lnkd.in/efRC9xTe

Okuma announces energy-efficient “Green-Smart Machines”

NCMT Ltd — 02/12/2022

Co₂-neutral production for active climate protection

Krefeld (Germany), 01 December 2022. Environmentally friendly production, reduced energy consumption, and the use of renewable energy sources are all requirements that an increasing number of businesses desire and need to achieve. Okuma, a well-known computer numeric control (CNC) machine tool maker, has long been committed to environmentally friendly, energy-saving solutions. The company plans to provide “Green-Smart Machines” to its customers in the near future to help them significantly reduce operational energy consumption without sacrificing productivity. Okuma is also actively pursuing decarbonisation inside its own manufacturing facilities, having already achieved CO₂-neutral production in its main factories.

Accurate, consistent production is notoriously energy intensive. However, economic and societal considerations are pressuring businesses to prioritise energy-efficient manufacturing methods, and find solutions that reduce production times and machine energy consumption. Okuma has come up with a solution to the manufacturing industry's dilemma: The company has transformed its machine tools into a new generation of “Green-Smart Machines”. They support efficient and cost-effective production.

Innovative technology for eco-friendly manufacturing

Okuma marks its machines that have been shown to considerably cut energy usage while maintaining optimum precision and efficiency in manufacturing with the “Green-Smart Machines” label. Okuma does this using intelligent technologies developed in-house:

The proven Thermo-Friendly Concept compensates for temperature fluctuations and delivers exceptional dimensional stability in continuous long-term operation. This eliminates the need to warm up the machines, saving energy and money.
The ECO Suite plus provides additional autonomous energy-saving capabilities. These include regulating inefficient pump rotation, monitoring the continuous operation of decentralised equipment, and recording CO₂
Spindle cooling systems are also optimised thanks to innovative operation control technology, ensuring a self-sustaining balance between accuracy stability and energy minimisation, reducing energy consumption by as much as 68%.

Okuma leads the way with CO₂-neutral manufacturing

Okuma is heavily promoting decarbonisation in its own manufacturing through increased automation and process optimisation. The machine tool manufacturer is also increasingly using renewable, carbon-free energy sources in a bid to phase out fossil fuels as soon as possible. As a result, the important goal of climate neutrality in the three main Japanese production plants was achieved ahead of time. Only green electricity has been used there since October 2022. Eventually, these smart factories will also produce the “Green-Smart Machines” in a carbon-neutral way.

Greater efficiency, more climate protection

“It is our stated mission to find solutions for the manufacturing industry’s social, ecological and economic challenges together with our customers,” says Norbert Teeuwen, Managing Director of Okuma Europe. “By using our ‘Green-Smart Machines’, our customers are decisively contributing towards climate protection and enjoying the greatest levels of output and precision in their work.” That is why Okuma is already working hard to improve the “Green-Smart Machines” even further. The goal is to develop a self-sustaining balance between accuracy stability and energy minimisation across all operating conditions to advance decarbonisation further.

The labelling of the “Green-Smart Machines” will begin in April 2023. Details about the available product range will be accessible in the future at www.okuma.eu.

NCMT celebrates 60th anniversary with an early 2024 open house

NCMT Ltd — 22/01/2024

There are few companies in the UK with more experience of configuring, selling and servicing CNC machine tools than NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk). It was formed in 1964 by Gerry Gray after he won the exclusive right to market Japanese-built Makino machining centres and spark erosion machines in Britain and Ireland, an agreement that persists to this day.

In 1976, a second agency was added to sell Okuma machine tools, also from Japan, into the same markets. It introduced extra CNC machining centres to NCMT's portfolio as well as CNC lathes and grinders. Since 2015, the company has additionally been the Europe-wide agent for photo-activated adhesive workholding systems manufactured by Blue Photon in the US.

Project, process, applications and service engineers as well as administrative staff operate from three strategically located sites across the UK, supplying innovative, high technology engineering solutions for metalworking applications. The company specialises in demanding fields of engineering, often project managing and supplying a turnkey production line or flexible manufacturing system involving a high degree of automation and 24/7 operation.

NCMT has long experience in this area, having introduced the service as far back as the early 1980s. It was also an early adopter of Industry 4.0 interconnectivity principles, offering advanced manufacturing systems from its two Japanese principals, which were also in the vanguard of the technology.

In 2005, Makino-NCMT Grinding Division was established to market Makino machining centres for creep-feed VIPER grinding of nickel alloys throughout Europe, since which time the principal has introduced purpose-built platforms for the application. Utilising small, vitrified aluminium oxide wheels and advanced coolant delivery and dressing techniques, the production centres are used principally within the aerospace and power generation industries, but also in the motorsport, medical and gear manufacturing sectors.

Another important facet of NCMT's service is world-leading research and development into optimum processes for machining difficult materials. They include not only alloys that are currently in use, but also to new, lightweight materials such as ceramic matrix composites and gamma titanium alumide employed in the manufacture of the latest, high-efficiency aero engines.

Jonathan Smart, the current managing director commented, "I am proud to be heading the fourth generation of NCMT's management, which I have done since 2019. The business continues to be focused on satisfying customer demand, so every order is managed as an individual project, with key milestones strictly adhered to from initial enquiry through to machine commissioning.

"We have a team of dedicated customisation engineers that are experts in their respective fields, able to design and implement anything from automated component handling and in-process measurement to filtration systems and machine guarding adaptation."

NCMT will exhibit at MACH 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham from 15th - 19th April on stand 19-130 and has just announced that it will hold a pre-show open house at its Coventry showroom on 7th and 8th February. Representative machine tools from both agency ranges will be on show, but the focus will be on demonstrating the Okuma GENOS range of entry-level, 3- to 5-axis machining centres and lathes. Anyone interested in visiting in February should register with this link: https://forms.office.com/e/DqbLPZr7vB

Experience Cutting-Edge Technology and Racing Thrills at Our Open Day!

NCMT Ltd — 25/01/2024

Join us for an exhilarating and informative open day event on Wednesday, 7th, and Thursday, 8th February 2024, from 9am to 3pm. Our aim is to showcase our Afforadable Excellence range, supported by a number of suppliers, and UWR Racing Team. With live demonstrations, engineering specialists, and a thrilling competition, this open day promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees!

Cutting-Edge Machinery Demonstrations
At our open day, we are proud to present three state-of-the-art GENOS Machines that will be conducting live demonstrations. Witness these innovative technologies in action, displaying their extraordinary capabilities and efficiency. Our knowledgeable experts will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Showcase by Leading Suppliers
To enhance your experience further, eight renowned suppliers will be displaying their top-of-the-line tooling, workholding solutions, software, and much more. Explore the diverse range of products available in the industry and gain valuable insights from the experts representing these suppliers. Discover the latest trends and cutting-edge solutions that can revolutionize your manufacturing processes.

Thrills of the Race Track
In addition to our machinery showcases, we are thrilled to invite the University of Wolverhampton racing team to our open day. As proud sponsors of their Praga car, we are excited to provide our visitors with an opportunity to witness the excitement of motorsports up close.

Fastest Lap Competition
We believe in fostering interactive experiences, and to that end, we have organized a thrilling "fastest lap" competition for all visitors. Challenge your driving skills on the racing simulator and participate in this adrenaline-pumping event. As an added incentive, participants will have a chance to win two tickets to an exclusive Praga/Morgan Uni of Wolves race day. Don't miss your opportunity to claim this exciting prize!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, 7th, and Thursday, 8th February 2024, to be a part of our open day event. Join us for an unforgettable day filled with excitement, innovation, and the chance to win an exclusive race day experience. We look forward to seeing you there! Click here to register!

Superiority of EDM control system convinces mouldmaker to standardise on Makino

NCMT Ltd — 03/08/2022

Established over 30 years ago, mouldmaker BM Injection (www.bminjection.co.uk) operates from a 10,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Whitchurch, Hampshire. Out of every ten moulds produced, eight are used for on-site production of injection moulded plastic products for numerous sectors including aerospace, automotive, domestic appliance, sports, safety, optics and transportation.

Before it is complete and ready for use, every mould has to visit both a die-sink and a wire-cut electric discharge machine (EDM) as well as a machining centre for hard milling. The proportion of time spent on each machine varies. In the production of BM Injection's mould tools, unless any are hard-milled on an Okuma 3-axis machining centre on-site, all three production platforms used for manufacturing the moulds were built by Makino in Japan and supplied through sole UK agent NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk).

Latest to be installed in May 2022 was a U32j wire EDM machine fitted with the same Hyper-i control system as a Makino EDAF3 H.E.A.T. EDM die-sinker that arrived in 2019, at the same time as a Makino D200Z 5-axis machining centre from the same Japanese source.

The Hyper-i Windows-based, twin-touch-screen CNC system, with an intuitive interface similar to that found on tablets and smartphones, includes advanced functions to support operators of all skill levels at every step of the machining process. The control contains an extensive library of cutting conditions that automatically optimises the erosion process, even for sealed and poor flush applications. It also enables easy access to and selection of power settings to produce accurate results in the fastest possible cycle times.

The control employs HyperCut technology, a process developed by Makino to produce surface finishes as fine as 3 microns Rz in standard tool steels in a three- or four-pass process. The machine ordered by Mark Combes, a director of BM Injection, was a high-accuracy package with 0.05-micron scale feedback capable of producing extremely smooth surfaces down to 0.7-micron Ra if a 7-pass process is adopted.

He said, "With a wire machine it is all about producing sharp radii and smooth surfaces, especially on the interior of ejector pin holes. That is exactly what the U32j has produced right from the start due to a combination of rigid machine build, thermal stability and the Hyper-i control. We knew this software would deliver, as it proved fantastic on the EDAF3 sparker we installed three years ago."

Of particular note is the bidirectional HyperConnect Industry 4.0 network connectivity (www.makino.com.sg/blog/hyperconnect) for remote machine monitoring and interlinking of all manufacturing information. This standard software allows access via the cloud to BM Injection's Open Mind OPTICAM wire EDM computer-aided manufacturing software. The CAD/CAM information occupies the top monitor of the twin-screen control and can be viewed and operated as if it were on-board, while Makino's process control screen occupies the lower monitor.

Another feature worthy of mention is the standard CRYSTAL II machining functionality built into the Hyper-i control, which is effective for machining shapes that are hard to polish while enhancing surface finish for improved mould release. It requires no special insulated jigs and is performed with uncoated wire, Bedra brass wire of 0.25 mm diameter with a high zinc content being the standard consumable at the Whitchurch facility.

The U32j is capable of utilising wire down to 0.07 mm diameter, however, smaller than most machines are able to accommodate. There will be a need for smaller gauges and the accompanying diamond guides for the future production of BM Injection's optical industry moulds. Mr Combes points to a reduction in wire consumption coupled with an increase in cutting speed on every job completed so far on the U32j compared with the nearly 20-year-old wire-cut EDM machine that was replaced.

He continued, "When the time came to install new, modern wire EDM technology, we looked at a number of options. We decided again in favour of the Makino offering not only because of the control and its synergy with our die-sink CNC system, but also due to the U32j's impressive working volume (370 x 270 x 220 mm) for the footprint (2,580 × 3,165 mm). We get a very compact machine while gaining an extra 20 mm of travel in X, Y and Z."

He was also impressed with the user-friendly, fixed-table, rise-and-fall tank design, which gives access on three sides for efficient loading and unloading of components and for easy cleaning and maintenance. Reliable unattended running is achieved throughout the night and into the next day, depending on the cycle, helped in part by the effective, automatic, jet-less wire rethreading system. It uses the X, Y, U and V axes to hunt unerringly for an optimum cutting restart position with the wire clear of the workpiece surface.

Another effective technology from Makino is the Protech galvanic protection option, enabling the prevention of rusting and oxidation of steel, carbide and aluminium. By placing an electrode plate in the bottom of the tank and giving it a positive charge, ensuring that the workpiece is held at a negative potential constantly attracts the positive ions and prevents oxidation.

Mr Combes summed up, "Makino is an excellent product but equally important to us is after-sales service. We have always received good back-up from NCMT ever since they delivered, installed and commissioned an Okuma 3-axis vertical machining centre in 2016.

"Extensive product knowledge and being able to impart it to our operators during training is even more crucial with EDM technology. Unless parameters are kept within close limits, machining efficiency can fall off quite quickly. It is important our staff know how to keep an eye on this.

"NCMT's engineers provided a week's instruction at the outset and are always available online or at the end of a telephone for troubleshooting or if technical advice is needed."

Orthopaedic implant and instrument manufacturer replaces two EDM machines with one

NCMT Ltd — 26/04/2023

A pair of outdated wire-cut electric discharge machining (EDM) centres at orthopaedic implant and associated surgical instrument manufacturer MatOrtho^® (www.matortho.com) has been replaced by a single new U6 H.E.A.T. from Makino, Japan. The CNC wire erosion machine was installed at MatOrtho's manufacturing facility in Leatherhead towards the end of March 2023 by NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk), sole UK sales and service agent for the machine manufacturer.

David Shand, Operations Director at MatOrtho said, "The new Makino wire erosion machine from NCMT will significantly increase our instrument production capacity compared with the two machines it replaces. The accuracy and speed of the machine will allow us to meet our R&D needs and support future sales. This latest significant investment by MatOrtho comes at an important time in the company’s transformation as it expands to meet the growing demand from our worldwide customer base."

The Makino was selected in preference to other makes due to the quality of both the machine build and the service received during the sales process, right through to training at NCMT's Technical Centre in Coventry. Another important aspect was the environmentally friendly operation of the U6 H.E.A.T., which has low running costs particularly in respect of reduced wire consumption. Mr Shand added that it will help drive their company's transition towards net zero carbon footprint, especially as only one EDM machine is now drawing power rather than two.

NCMT's Jon Marshall, Makino EDM Sales Manager UK South commented, "The Makino U6 H.E.A.T. is geared towards high-performance production which, together with the machine's inherent precision, makes it a perfect fit for MatOrtho’s requirements for both production and research.

"It has been a pleasure dealing with Paul Clancy, their Production Engineering Manager and the whole team throughout the process and we at NCMT look forward to assisting MatOrtho with its future investments."

A video on this installation is available to view at:

125 years of Okuma: on the road to success with innovations and sustainability

NCMT Ltd — 12/04/2023

A year full of milestones lies ahead

Okuma has reason to celebrate: The company marks its 125th birthday and has countless successes and memorable highlights to look back on. But looking ahead to the future is even more exciting. As one of the global leaders in manufacturing CNC tool machines, Okuma will continue to use its wealth of experience in the industry to exceed customer expectations. Therefore, even more sustainable and efficient solutions are at the top of the agenda.

Continuous further development while focusing on customer requirements has been Okuma’s guidance since its foundation in 1898. Within a short period of just six years, Eiichi Okuma turned the company from a noodle machine manufacturer into a tool machine manufacturer. Throughout the company’s history, Okuma has stuck to its guiding principle of “Open Possibilities” and to its innovative strength and groundbreaking technologies: Okuma introduced its internally developed OSP control in 1963 and combined it with drives, motors, and spindles to become a “single source” supplier. Starting by combining the mechanical tool machine with the technological control software component, it has succeeded in optimising processes and producing high-precision workpieces within defined time and budget limits.

Facing new challenges early on

“Okuma has always been a step ahead of trends and developments,” explains Norbert Teeuwen, Managing Director of Okuma Europe GmbH. “The OSP is a good example of our innovative drive – as well as the internal and external automation solutions that enable us to respond to individual customer requirements and needs with extreme precision.”

New solutions and further developments that increase customer efficiency will continue to be the main focus at Okuma after its anniversary: “For decades now, we’ve been consistently working towards establishing our machines and processes on a sustainable basis, for example by optimising energy consumption or process flows for our customers.” This commitment will become even more important in the future with the national and international climate goals. With the Intelligent Technology and Green Technology, Okuma’s Green Smart Machines will continue to support efficient manufacturing with reduced energy consumption. “We focus on comprehensive solutions. Our customers can rely on us for a well-thought-out ’all-in-one’ concept. Quality, precision, sustainability, and efficiency are clear requirements set out by our customers that we fully meet,” Norbert Teeuwen emphasises. “Our product development and services focus on individually developed solutions that precisely meet the respective requirements.”

Okuma is also working towards CO2 neutrality within its own organisation. Energy savings or renewable energy from its own solar panel systems are already being implemented and expanded further. In future, Okuma will also be investing more in a sustainable value chain – in the interests of the environment and the customers.

More milestones to come in 2023

125 years of company history, experience, and know-how: On this basis, Okuma is now awaiting a promising future and meeting challenges with exciting and forward-looking innovations. Okuma is ready to impress the manufacturing industry with the efficiency of the innovative solutions they will launch this year. The EMO Hannover from the 18th to 23rd of September is the official kick-off. At the world's leading trade fair for production technology, Okuma will be celebrating its 125th anniversary with numerous innovations. It will be welcoming visitors with a range of large and small surprises.

www.ncmt.co.uk

www.okuma.eu

WORKHOLDING STABILISER SYSTEM TO BE LAUNCHED IN EUROPE AT EMO 2023

NCMT Ltd — 13/07/2023

US firm Blue Photon (www.bluephotongrip.com) has designed a new, photo-activated adhesive workholding system comprising patented grippers and inserts, intended for use with stabiliser systems marketed by Big Daishowa and others that add extra rigidity to tall components while they are being machined.

The Workholding Stabilizer System will be launched in Europe at the EMO 2023 trade fair in Hannover, 18th - 23rd September, on the Blue Photon stand, B84 in hall 5. Representatives from European sales agent NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk) will be on the stand throughout the exhibition to help with live demonstrations and answer questions.

The workholding system comprises a Blue Photon stabiliser puck, an adjustable stabiliser arm and a base mount, for which there are multiple options including T-slot, threaded hole and magnetic. The puck is positioned in an optimal location on the workpiece to provide maximum extra support during machining by transferring some of the cutting force to the machine table and structure.

The extra stability raises production throughput by allowing faster feeds and speeds to be programmed without affecting the surface integrity of the part, and also increases yield by avoiding scrap and rework that could result from unstable clamping.

The puck attaches to the workpiece using grippers placed into fixed inserts. It is simply necessary to position the puck and turn on ultraviolet light from a Blue Photon controller to cure BlueGrip adhesive previously applied to the grippers. The process is completed in 60 seconds, minimising idle time and maximising throughput.

Other notable benefits of the adhesive system are that there is no need to drill and tap or otherwise clamp the part, while the absence of additional workholding geometry means that cutter paths are unrestricted and cycle times are not unnecessarily extended.

On the stand at EMO 2023, there will also be a representative selection of Blue Photon's other innovative adhesive workholding products. They are ideal for securing awkwardly shaped and/or delicate parts to allow maximum access to tools for tight-tolerance, multi-axis milling, turning, electrochemical machining, electrical discharge machining, grinding or laser cutting. They are equally suitable for use in assembly or inspection.

ENERGY-SAVING AIR BLOWERS MANUFACTURED WITH THE HELP OF GREEN MACHINE TOOLS

NCMT Ltd — 25/07/2023

There is an unusual parallel between a new, low-pressure air compressor (blower) manufactured by entrepreneurial British firm Lontra (www.lontra.co.uk) and the Japanese-built turn-mill centre from Okuma that is used to machine one of Lontra's fundamental key blower components. Both pieces of equipment have been engineered for maximum environmental sustainability whilst in operation and both harness Industry 4.0 connectivity to make them even more efficient. Okuma's UK and Ireland sales agent, NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk), describes the multi-tasking turn-milling application.

At the core of Lontra’s LP2 Blade Blower is its custom-engineered, patented Blade Compressor^® positive displacement technology, a novel rotary piston and cylinder design that delivers oil-free air or gas at up to approximately 1 bar pressure. The custom-engineered LP2 Blade Blower unit is used in many industries including water aeration, where electricity savings of up to 34% have been noted, through to food, pharmaceutical and other pneumatic conveying applications, in which similar energy reductions have been recorded. It is also found in cement manufacture, mining and power generation.

Driven by the remarkable energy savings achieved by the LP2, the global demand for these units has surged, leading the manufacturer to invest £17 million in constructing a state-of-the-art factory in Doncaster dedicated to meeting the increased production volumes.

It is in this facility that the Okuma Multus B550 turn-milling centre has been installed to carry out finish machining operations on the blower rotor, a high-value component critical to LP2 operation. Adrian Pratt, Manufacturing Engineer at Lontra said, "We approached NCMT for a turnkey solution. There are not many factories globally that have the machinery or skillset to manufacture a part like this.

"The Okuma is a very clever, multi-tasking machine that has the size, robustness and technology to machine our large, heavy rotors accurately and repeatably in fewer set-ups. The repeatability aspect is very important, as we need to keep all the rotational parts concentric.

"Multiple features can be machined in one go on the Multus B550, allowing us to meet the high drawing tolerances by avoiding repeated refixturing of the rotor. The rotor production process has been significantly optimised.

"Without this advanced equipment, 10 operations would be required to complete the rotor component. With the aid of Okuma machinery, we have successfully reduced the number of operations by half, further cementing our commitment to lean, smart and sustainable manufacturing practices and continual improvement."

Speaking of the technological features of the new machine, he referred to the fact that Okuma manufactures its own drives and control system and also develops its own software, which he describes as "second to none". It means there is one point of accountability for both the mechanical and digital aspects of the machine, a facet of the installation that he values.

Three features of the Okuma in particular help to maintain accuracy of machining. First, the Thermo-Friendly Concept applied to both the machine structure and spindle uses feedback from temperature sensors to ensure high precision machining in a shop floor environment, without the need for a warm-up period. Secondly, multi-axis Auto Tuning periodically and automatically fine-tunes the geometry of the machine before production restarts.

Thirdly, Okuma’s Absoscale linear encoders in the orthogonal axes have industry-leading 0.1-micron resolution for super-precise feedback of axis positions. At the same time, the manufacturer's 36-million increment rotary encoders provide similar precision in the C-axis axis that positions the powerful 37 kW workpiece spindle and in the B-axis that positions the HSK100 spindle tools.

Greig Underwood, NCMT's Regional Sales Manager commented, "Being involved with Lontra as they embark on their journey to provide the world's most efficient blower is exciting and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do next to help them further their goal.

"What interests me about this installation is the alignment between Lontra and Okuma in their commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, as well as their shared focus on energy-saving designs for their respective product solutions.

"Equally, both companies are leveraging the power of Industry 4.0 to monitor and feed back operational data to optimise parameters and make their equipment even more efficient in real-world conditions."

Joe Cockcroft, Head of Operations at Lontra concluded, "One of the advantages of building a new factory from scratch is the ability to adjust every detail to make the site as energy-efficient and productive as possible, especially with regard to the machine tools.

"Following significant investment in high-specification capital equipment, we are preparing to build an increasing number of LP2 units to meet market demand. This is scheduled to increase month on month and year on year as our business expands.

“All of this would not have been possible without our hard-working, highly skilled team. We are extremely proud to have great people behind Lontra making this happen.

"Our success is also down to the professionalism of like-minded supplier partners like NCMT. They provided a turnkey package with full engineering support, including training and help with programming and setting up our processes, so rotor production started right first time and without delay."

NCMT appoints Sales Engineer in the West Midlands

NCMT Ltd — 24/11/2022

SAM SUTTON has been appointed Sales Engineer covering the West Midlands by NCMT, sole agent in the UK and Ireland for Japanese-built Makino machining centres and EDM machines, and Okuma machining centres, CNC lathes and grinders. The company is also sole European agent for the Blue Photon photo-activated adhesive system for workholding from the USA.

Although he has never worked in sales before, Sam is no stranger to machine tools. Between 2012 and 2021, he worked in Worcestershire as senior multi-spindle lathe setter, stock controller and cell leader at one of the largest, privately owned subcontract machinists in Europe.

He was subsequently CNC machine operator at a nearby company, working first on automatic, multi-spindle edge polishing machines, after which he was responsible for setting up production machining centres. While in this post, he acquired software-related expertise centred on CAD and post processors.

Other skills gained by Sam during his various periods of employment include tool making, lathe turning, milling, surface grinding, optical profile grinding, grinding of form tools, gauges and drills, brazing, jig and fixture making, and wire eroding of form tools and cams.

MACHINE TOOL SUPPLIER SPONSORS UNIVERSITY RACING TEAM

NCMT Ltd — 15/03/2023

University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR - www.wlv.ac.uk/uwr) has gained a new official sponsor - machine tool supplier NCMT (www.ncmt.co.uk), best known in the UK and Ireland as the sole agent for selling the Japanese Okuma and Makino brands. The agreement was concluded mid-February 2023, in time for the first race of the Britcar Prototype Cup.

UWR is the only student-run team that competes in the Prototype Cup using a Praga R1, a Czech-manufactured racing car eligible for the competition. They competed in the Praga Cup in 2022 using the same car, after being crowned Formula 3 Cup class champions in 2021.

UWR is an academic led, student run racing team that competes not only in the above events but also in the AR Morgan Challenge, working directly with the Morgan Motor Company and IMechE Formula Student.

Jonathan Smart, Managing Director of NCMT commented, "We are delighted to start sponsoring UWR, which unlike all other student teams in the UK competes against professional racing teams. It gives their graduates the edge when trying to enter professional motorsport or other employment. Moreover, the Department of Engineering is especially committed to extending opportunities and promoting diversity in engineering and motorsport."

Terry Gibson, Head of Alumni and Development at the University of Wolverhampton added, "University of Wolverhampton Racing is thrilled to be supported by NCMT for the 2023 season. Working with companies in the engineering and manufacturing industry provides exceptional, real-world opportunities for our student engineers. Whether their careers are in motorsport or manufacturing, working with companies like NCMT inspires them all to raise their game and perform to the very best of their abilities. We’re grateful to the team at NCMT for helping to make their futures possible.”

Okuma's new OSP-P500 supports sustainable process integration

NCMT Ltd — 20/06/2023

An increasing shortage of skilled workers, growing requirements for climate-neutral production and ever more flexible, multi-variant production programmes are causing a sharp rise in the demand for automated, energy-saving production processes. 60 years after the first launch of OSP control, Okuma is announcing a revolutionary innovation as the answer to current and future challenges: “The innovative OSP-P500 control supports our customers to respond to the increasing requirements with ground-breaking developments and to realise complex machining operations even more precisely and in less time. Intelligent functionalities and the extremely easy handling ensure a significant increase of the user’s productivity.,” says Norbert Teeuwen, Managing Director of Okuma Europe GmbH.

Efficient machining by everyone

The new OSP-P500 control is equipped with the “Digital Twin” to speed up the production processes and reduce preparation times. It facilitates high-precision simulations of the machining processes: With “Digital Twin on Machine” this simulation takes place on the machine itself, so that machining can be started immediately afterwards. Simulation can also be done with “Digital Twin on PC” on a computer to prevent downtimes, allowing the machine to be used for other machining processes. Even inexperienced users benefit from all the advantages of the CNC control thanks to the exceptionally user-friendly interface. The “Smart OSP Operation” function simplifies handling and provides automatic guidance through all the necessary steps, meaning that people without any prior experience can learn how to machine a workpiece in a single day.

The OSP-P500 is also ideally equipped for high-speed machining with high surface quality: Thanks to “Smart Control”, it has twice the computing power of conventional machine controls. This significantly shortens reaction times so that the cycle times can be reduced by up to 15 percent.

Secured against cyber attacks at all times

With a comprehensive security system, the CNC control also reliably protects machine processes, programmes and data from cyber attacks. Advanced identification processes for users and encryption of communication according to the OPC-UA standard also prevents unauthorised access. Possible damage can be minimised with specific anti-virus measures, such as a whitelist and functions for the direct identification of programme counterfeits or irregularities. Data recovery measures and data backup functions are also integrated for emergencies. This ensures stable and uninterrupted production at all times.

Smart technology for greater energy efficiency

Thanks to the integrated “Eco Suite Plus”, the new OSP-P500 meets all customer requirements of reducing the power consumption. The smart features record and analyses every operating status and CO₂ emissions, switch to energy-saving idling if required and automatically adjust peripherals, such as the chip conveyor or suction. In future, Okuma will gradually launch a range of new Green Smart Machines onto the market which will provide even more functions for energy-saving, high precision operation. These intelligent machine tools are particularly designed to support the reduction of CO₂ emissions with reduced energy consumption, while still ensuring the highest quality. The OSP-P500 is also part of the package.

New machine design for 5-axis machining centres and multitasking machines

In the first stage, the 5-axis machining centres of the MU-V series and the multitasking machines of the MULTUS series will be equipped with the new machine control. In addition, Okuma surprises with a revised machine design that offers more free space, facilitates ergonomic working on the machine and enables a high level of integration possibilities with automations.

The OSP-P500 will be presented to the public for the first time at the EMO in Hanover from 18 to 23 September 2023. More information about Okuma’s attendance at the trade fair is now available at emo2023.okuma.eu.

The first machines with the new control and design will be delivered to customers in Europe at the end of 2023.

NCMT appoints Sales Manager in the North-East and Scotland

NCMT Ltd — 12/10/2023

ANDY SKEE has joined machine tool supplier NCMT as Sales Manager for the North-East of England and Scotland. The company is sole agent in the British Isles for Japanese-built Makino machining centres and EDM machines, and for Okuma machining centres, CNC lathes and grinders. It is also European agent for the photo-activated adhesive workholding systems manufactured by Blue Photon in the US.

Mr Skee started his career programming and operating CNC machine tools and inspecting components for two manufacturers in the North-East. During his previous roles, he had direct experience using Okuma twin-chuck vertical machines within the machine shop at a subcontractor specialising in subsea equipment manufacture, followed by several years in a similar role within the UK Ministry of Defence. More recently, Mr Skee was a customer-facing applications engineer providing training and support covering a wide variety of machining platforms.

In July this year, he completed a University of Lincoln FdSc Operations Management distance learning programme and is currently working towards a BSc in Business Management, in which he expects to graduate in Autumn 2025.

NCMT appoints Sales Manager for South-East England

NCMT Ltd — 28/11/2023

LUKE INSLEY has been appointed Area Sales Manager for South-East England by machine tool supplier NCMT. He is responsible for sales of the company’s product portfolio, which includes Okuma machining centres, CNC lathes and grinders, Makino machining centres, and photo-activated adhesive work holding systems manufactured by Blue Photon.

Mr Insley studied for an advanced apprenticeship in engineering at Central Sussex College, gaining an ONC and an HNC in mechanical engineering and an NVQ level 3 in mechanical manufacture engineering. He continued as an apprentice at a precision engineering company in the area, advancing to become a setter-operator and then a production engineer. He has since held roles as an applications and technical support engineer at a cutting tool company, assisting both end users and distributors, and more recently as a sales engineer for a tooling supplier.

With excellent knowledge of tooling and machine tool programming and operation, he brings with him a wealth of other experience likely to be of assistance to existing and prospective NCMT customers, such as work holding and fixture design.

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NCMT appoints Sales Engineer in the West Midlands

Although he has never worked in sales before, Sam is no stranger to machine tools. Between 2012 and 2021, he worked in Worcestershire as senior multi-spindle lathe setter, stock controller and cell leader at one of the largest, privately owned subcontract machinists in Europe.

He was subsequently CNC machine operator at a nearby company, working first on automatic, multi-spindle edge polishing machines, after which he was responsible for setting up production machining centres. While in this post, he acquired software-related expertise centred on CAD and post processors.

Other skills gained by Sam during his various periods of employment include tool making, lathe turning, milling, surface grinding, optical profile grinding, grinding of form tools, gauges and drills, brazing, jig and fixture making, and wire eroding of form tools and cams.

MACHINE TOOL SUPPLIER SPONSORS UNIVERSITY RACING TEAM

Okuma's new OSP-P500 supports sustainable process integration

NCMT appoints Sales Manager in the North-East and Scotland

NCMT appoints Sales Manager for South-East England

Co₂-neutral production for active climate protection