need for assembly. Here, extremely accurate
and repeatable machining is required, which
is why for the past 20 years the company has
been using two Roeders machines.
TWO NEW MACHINES
To cope with an increasing order book, RDMS
has invested in a modern pair of 3-axis, highspeed
speed machining centres from the
same manufacturer. RDMS’ new
RXP500 has a 500 by 455 by
240 mm machining envelope
and a 60,000 rpm spindle,
while the new RXP801 offers
800 by 635 by 400 mm and
42,000 rpm. Both machines
have spindle growth
compensation and the former is
tted out with an interface for the
“The future is
more automation,
to enable us to
remain
competitive”
future addition of an Erowa 120-pallet cell.
“The future is more automation, to enable
us to remain competitive on price and keep
lead times short, this being one of our USPs
over competitors, especially those overseas,”
says co-owner Neil Richardson. “We will
continue using Roeders machines as they
allow us to deliver perfect moulds, rst time.
That’s essential because it’s very expensive
to take a tool out of commission for
adjustment.”
Among others upgrading their toolroom
capability and capacity is Baker Engineering,
which operates from an 8,000 square foot
facility in Derby. Reduced part cycle times,
improved operational ef ciencies and new
business wins are just some of the bene ts
that this precision toolmaker is experiencing
from its latest Doosan 5-axis machining
centre investment.
Acquired from Mills CNC ( https://is.gd/
ugoyob ), the Doosan DVF 5000 is already
producing specialist tooling for Baker
Engineering’s growing UK and international
customer base, including jigs and xtures for
aerospace ground-support maintenance,
tooling for the measurement and inspection
of railway tracks, and tooling used in the
power-generation sector.
“We’re a company that’s looking to
constantly improve; we had done
our homework into the
technology and could see that
investing in a 5-axis machine
tool would deliver signi cant
performance bene ts,” says
company director Adrian
Baker.
Baker Engineering’s DVF 5000
features a direct-drive spindle (up to
18.5 kW/12,000 rpm), linear guides and a
500 by 450 mm work table with 400 kg
maximum load. The machine boasts 40 m/
min rapids and features a 60-position ATC,
integrated tool measurement and the latest
Fanuc 0iMF control.
“News travels fast,” states Baker. “On
hearing that we had invested in a Doosan
5-axis machine, a new customer made
contact to request a quotation. We’ve
successfully turned that enquiry into an
order.”
BREATHING SPACE FOR TOOLROOMS
One of the more consistent challenges for
toolrooms, particularly those serving sectors
such as automotive, is space. Automotive
mould tools are often large and heavy,
prompting many to investigate innovative
handling solutions.
A case in point is vehicle component
manufacturer
Roeders machines help RDMS
impart its mould tools with
accuracy and repeatability
Below: Lifting the mould
tool up to press height at
ElringKlinger
ElringKlinger, headquartered in
Dettingen an der Erms, Germany, which
produces lightweight plastic products such as
oil pans and cam covers. Tobias Gerst,
production engineer responsible for capital
equipment procurement and process
planning, says: “In recent years we’ve grown
steadily but space for production equipment
is in short supply, so we’re sometimes faced
with very cramped conditions.”
Space is particularly limited where two
automated injection moulding machines
operate over three shifts. The machines are
located in an enclosure and mould exchange
is only possible by entering a narrow, low door.
These machines, positioned at an angle of
about 120° to each other, require a mould
change every eight to nine days. As there is no
overhead crane in the factory, it is impossible
to load the machines from above. Instead,
until recently, operators used one of a number
of standard transport carts – a challenging and
physically exhausting task.
All that changed with the arrival of a
compact transport cart supplied by Roemheld
( https://is.gd/ozoyiv ). The RWA 1600 is
characterised by its small size, electrohydraulic
lifting platform and shuttle table
equipped with hydraulically actuated ball bars.
With ball bars set into the support surface
of the table, it is easy to move dies manually
in any direction. A special safety mechanism
ensures that, during mould transportation,
the ball inserts lower into the table surface
so the die cannot move. Another instance of
technology providing the answer to a tricky
toolroom challenge.
www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets | January 2021 47
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