Floyd Solves Turning Problems at MACH 2012
26 April 2012
MACH 2012 proved an exciting period for Floyd Automatic Tooling Ltd, as the company enjoyed success with a number of new product innovations that were introduced to MACH for the first time. One product that generated significant interest on its first showing at MACH was the Mowidec spindle alignment kit for turning centres.
The new Movidec-TT launched at MACH is a spindle centring system that centres tools on the main or counter spindles to improve accuracy, performance and tool life. This new centring device enables the user to perfectly centre tools with a simple and fast method on Swiss automatic lathes. It can be used for centring the front spindle against the guiding bush as well as the back-operation positions against the pick-up spindle. Also capable of checking the alignment of the headstock, guide bush and sub-spindle, the Mowidec digital read out display can be mounted on the machine housing with a magnetic pad in a position where the user can see a clear indication of the measurements to within a micron. This generated a remarkable response at MACH with a high level of quality enquiries received.
Floyd also highlighted its environmental credentials at MACH with its new Floyd Production Equipment Division (FPE). This new division that concentrates on the growing need to manage oil recuperation and the quality of swarf for cost conscious manufacturers won plaudits at the show with some very sizable projects in the pipeline as a result of MACH. The new division that will see Floyd introduce a series of products to prevent the disposal of oil that is attached to swarf was well received with one company actually wanting to buy a high quality Henri Petite-Jean centrifuge from the stand.
With specialist products for sliding head lathe users being the mainstay of the Floyd Automatic stable, the company also enjoyed huge success with its revolutionary new MASTER-Clamp and MASTER-Guide system for collet clamping and guide bushing. The new MasterGuide system has been developed to solve common problems that often frustrate users of sliding head turning machines. One common problem the MasterGuide system solves is accuracy. With four clamping pads, the system significantly improves accuracy in intricate machining operations.
The major advantage of the MasterGuide is that the clamping pads can be supplied in different materials and coatings to improve the guiding process and eliminate bar marking that is commonplace when standard carbide bushes react with stainless steel bars. Acting as a mini 4-jaw chuck (3 jaws available for small parts) the MasterClamp system offers increased clamping forces and range than conventional collet systems. The MASTER-Clamp and MASTER-Guide systems were complemented at MACH by a new series of Polymer guide bushes that offer a simple, low cost solution that can fit a vast array of applications.
Floyd Automatic was also keen to use MACH to build upon the growing customer base that is being achieved through the introduction of new cutting tool developments such as the Alesa milling & Turning lines, the Zeus roll marking tools and the new Applitec tooling range.
The new Swiss manufactured Alesa milling and turning products complement Floyd's existing products and the new ‘Alesa Twist’ and ‘Alesa Speed’ milling lines for high feed milling were a crowd pleaser at MACH. All inserts in the ranges have positive geometries that will reduce machine power requirements whilst increasing metal removal rates. The advantage of these inserts is that the same insert is capable of machining a wide range of materials, including exotics and hard to machine materials up to 1450N/mm2.
As the UK's market leading supplier of innovative turning solutions, MACH was the opportunity for visitors to see the new Zeus Roll Marking tools. Specifically for CNC turning machines, the new Zeus series introduced a new compact design for roll marking on small and medium sized turning centres at MACH. Incorporating a new cartridge style toolholder for single (spring back) roll marking, the Zeus roll marking line enables customers to mark tapers and faces with unsurpassed quality and productivity levels.
Commenting upon the company's attendance at MACH 2012, Floyd Automatic's Managing Director, Mr Richard Floyd said: "We arrived at MACH with a huge selection of new products that have not been seen in the UK previously. The new products as well as established brands were very well received. More prominent than previous MACH exhibitions was the number of turned part manufacturers looking for solutions to specific problems. With the continued increase in one-hit machining and increasingly complex parts, our range of technical innovations were a welcome relief to show visitors that had difficulties resolving complex issues on their turning centres."
