News

January 2015
Mazak Variaxis i-500 5 Axis Vertical Machining Centre Installed And Operational

Mazak Variaxis i-500

 

Renishaw Logo

 

ERDF

Our new Variaxis i-500 5 Axis Vertical Machining Centre is now installed and operational. The delivery and installation went smoothly as scheduled. Our thanks to Mazak for a professional installation and training service.

Our thanks also to Renishaw, who have installed an RMP600 Probe and an NC4 Non-Contact Laser Tool Setter, along with Renishaw's Inspection Plus software on the machine. This software provides an integrated package of macros which allows programming of the Probe cycles from within our CNC programs.

We have fitted the machine with Lang workholding, which has been supplied by Thame Engineering. This system comprises of a system of vices designed for 5 axis work, which hold on a minimal amount of raw material, and offer excellent access to the part. This is ideal for the small, complex parts that we will be making on the machine. The vices are attached to the machine via a zero point system also from Lang.

We have had several members of the team trained in the use of the Machine, Probe, Tool Setter and the Inspection Plus software. This software provides an integrated package of macros which allows programming of the Probe cycles from within our CNC programs.

We thank Anglia Ruskin University for the help they have given us to receive grant funding towards this investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).