NCMT commemorates 60 years at MACH 2024

In 1964, NCMT Ltd was one of the first companies to sell CNC machine tools into the UK and Irish markets when it won the sole agency to sell and service Japanese-built Makino machining centres. Twelve years later, a second agency agreement was reached with Okuma, another Japanese machine tool manufacturer, to sell its machining centres, lathes and grinders into the same markets.

 In 2005, Makino-NCMT Grinding Division was established to develop and sell throughout Europe Makino machining platforms for creep-feed VIPER grinding of nickel alloys. Since 2015, NCMT has also been the Europe-wide agent for photo-activated adhesive workholding systems manufactured by Blue Photon in the US.

Most recently, at the beginning of 2024 NCMT signed an exclusive distribution agreement in the UK and Ireland with Tritone Technologies, a global leader in additive manufacturing (AM) technology specialising in metal and ceramic applications.

Looking to the future, all of these technologies will be on show on the NCMT stand at MACH exhibition – Hall 19, stand 130.

Machining centre gains robotic loading of workpieces

Rigid, thermally-stable construction protects the Okuma Genos M560-V-e vertical machining centre (VMC) from thermal deformation, resulting in high machining performance for an entry-level machine. The 3-axis machine is able to process a variety of materials from titanium to aluminium and does so without sacrificing dimensional accuracy, finish quality or productivity. At the show, the machine will be equipped with a Cellro X20 robotic system for component load / unload and storage.

Small 5-axis machining centre in the Genos range

The popular Genos M460V-5AX VMC with a working volume of 762 x 460 x 460 mm will be at MACH and will be one of the first Okuma machines to be exhibited in the UK with the manufacturer’s new OSP 500 control. It was the original 5-axis machine in Okuma’s economical, series-built Genos range.

High-specification lathe at a competitive price

The competitively priced Genos L3000-e-MYW lathe from Okuma will make an appearance at MACH fed automatically with shaft-type parts by a Cellro CoMate cobot (collaborative robot). Maximum turning diameter is 300 mm and rotational speed of the 22 kW spindle is up to 3,800 rpm, all in a compact footprint of 2.5 x 1.9 metres.

Multi-tasking turning centre

With a 240-degree swivelling B-axis head and HSK-A63 (optionally Capto C6), 12,000 rpm / 22 kW spindle for turning or milling components up to 1,500 mm between centres, an Okuma MULTUS U3000 multi-tasking lathe will be demonstrated on the stand. The tool magazine has 40 stations as standard, but is optionally available with a capacity of 80 tools.

Next-generation Okuma control

The OSP-P500 CNC system, manufactured in-house by Okuma along with virtually everything else on its machines, will be on show for the first time in the UK. It combines highly productive and precise machining with ease of use, energy efficiency and safety features to protect against cyber-attacks. Particularly well suited to high-speed machining applications and achieving top quality surface finishes, the CNC has twice the computing power of a conventional machine control, shortening cycle times by up to 15 percent.

Ultra-fast, compact, 5-axis VMC

In a space on the shop floor of less than 3.3 square metres, the N2-5XA horizontal machining centre from Makino is capable of very high-speed machining of components up to 300 mm diameter by 270 mm high and weighing a maximum of 30 kg, including fixture. The machine is ideal for fully interpolative, 5-axis machining of complex components made from difficult-to-cut materials like stainless steel, cobalt-chrome and zirconium, as well as titanium- and nickel-based alloys.

Automated VMC cell to be launched

The show will also mark the first UK appearance of the Makino DA300 5-axis, trunnion-type, vertical machining centre configured as a production cell with 40 pallet positions on five levels for extended periods of lights-out running.

The automation package includes integrated chuck, pallet interface and Single Pro6 graphically-driven cell controller, via which it is easy to manage the machine and pallet system. The cell is ideal for 5-sided and fully-interpolative, 5-axis production of complex components in one clamping.

World’s fastest wire EDM machine

Makino’s U6 H.E.A.T. Extreme wire-cut electric discharge machining (EDM) centre will be on show. In addition to using standard wire from 0.1 to 0.3 mm, it is optionally possible to run the largest diameter wire – 0.4 mm – of any machine on the market. The wire is coated and distinct from the uncoated brass wire that is commonly used in industry.

The extra wire thickness, together with the use of a second, booster generator in the machine, allows two to three times higher productivity and heavier duty machining compared with using a standard 0.25 mm consumable.

High-performance die-sinker

The Makino EDAF3 die-sinking EDM machine on the stand features a rigid, precise structure and integral thermal cooling of the Y- and Z-axis cast components to ensure long-term accuracy. Table size is 700 mm by 500 mm and the dielectric reservoir is built into the base casting of the machine to improve thermal stability further and minimise the machine’s footprint. Working volume is 450 x 350 x 350 mm and maximum workpiece weight is 800 kg.

Adhesive Workholding

Exhibited also on the stand will be the Blue Photon photo-activated adhesive system. The method is ideal for securing awkwardly shaped parts to allow maximum access to tools for tight-tolerance machining or inspection. The process involves applying an adhesive that is cured by ultraviolet light via an LED spot curing system. After machining is complete, the adhesive contact points can be sheared to free the workpiece by rotating the gripper pins in the fixture plate with a spanner.

Unlike magnetic clamping systems, it can be used to secure non-ferrous metallic parts, including ceramics and composites.

The team at NCMT Ltd welcomes you to celebrate their milestone, with experts on hand to discuss your manufacturing requirements