Out of this world!

Published: March 27, 2024, 4:20 p.m.

A total of 16 machines, including a number making their UK and MACH Show debuts, plus two automated manufacturing cells and a complete Mills\u2019 technology line-up will be on the largest stand at the event.\xa0

In Hall 19 on Stand 110 Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions\u2019 and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland is promising to make MACH 2024 a truly inspiring and transformative event.

With a reputation for always \u2018pushing the boat out\u2019 at previous MACH shows the company is doing something similar, confirming that it will be showcasing a total of 16 machines on its 750sq/m stand. The company\u2019s technology line-up at the event includes eight milling machines which will be seven DN Solutions\u2019 3 and 5-axis vertical and horizontal machining centres, a large-capacity Zayer horizontal CNC bed mill, seven DN Solutions\u2019 lathes and turning centres and a DN Solutions\u2019 SMX multi-tasking mill/turn machine.\xa0

Two of the turning centres being showcased form the mainstay machine tool elements of two separate automated manufacturing cells. This inclusion demonstrates the growing popularity of Mills\u2019 automation solutions and their importance to the company\u2019s future growth ambitions. With a focus on innovation and automation, Mills\u2019 eagerly-anticipated MACH 2024 theme, currently being rolled out, will not disappoint and is quite literally \u2018out-of-this-world\u2019.

\u201cOur stand at MACH 2022, with its Broadway theme, raised the bar in terms of creativity and stand design,\u201d says Tony Dale, Mills CNC\u2019s CEO. \u201cAs part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are confident that we have \u2018gone one better\u2019 this time around with our MACH 2024 \u2018SPACE ODYSSEY\u2019 themed stand.\u201d

Five of the machines on Mills\u2019 stand are new models that are making their MACH show debuts. Occupying the largest space on Mills\u2019 stand will be the new Zayer XIOS G CNC horizontal bed mill. This large-capacity machine is equipped with a built-in rotary table 1500mm by 1500mm, a 5-axis, 45-degree milling head and the latest Heidenhain control. With its powerful, high-torque 40kW 6,000rpm spindle and impressive positional accuracy of 0.008mm and repeatable accuracy of 0.005mm, the XIOS G is ideal for large aerospace, rail, energy and oil and gas part processing.

New DN Solutions\u2019 machines making their MACH 2024 debuts include the compact, FANUC-controlled DVF 4000 simultaneous 5-axis machining centre, the DNT 2100M and DNT 2600 models from the recently-launched DNT-series of high-performance lathes and a V 9300M vertical turning lathe. The DVF 4000 is the latest addition to DN Solutions\u2019 popular DVF series of simultaneous 5-axis machining centres and is equipped with a 12,000rpm spindle, a 400mm diameter, a built-in rotary tilting table and a 60-position ATC.\xa0

The FANUC-controlled DNT 2100M has an 8\u201d chuck/65mm bar diameter and is equipped with an 18.5kW 4500rpm spindle, a 12-station turret and driven tooling capabilities up to 10,000rpm. The DNT 2600 is a 10\u201d chuck with 81mm bar diameter, equipped with a 26kW 3,500rpm spindle and 10-position turret.\xa0

The V 9300M is a robust and powerful 24\u201d chuck vertical turning lathe with 20m/min rapids, a 45kW 1800rpm spindle, a 12-station turret, 4,000rpm driven tooling capability and an additional, front-mounted ATC.

In addition to new machines making their debuts, Mills\u2019 stand also features several popular and best-selling models from its well-established machining centre, turning centre and mill-turn machine ranges.

Mills will also show the DVF 5000 simultaneous 5-axis machining centre and to emphasise its future importance to the company, Mills is showcasing two DVF 5000\u2019s on its stand \u2013 one standalone model and one integrated with a multi-level automated pallet change system.

Other milling favourites being exhibited include three DNM vertical machines centres, a DNM 4500 with Siemens control

\u2018Ad Astra\u2019: Automated\xa0robot cells\xa0

In recent years, Mills CNC has gained a reputation for supplying manufacturers with productivity-enhancing automated manufacturing cells. At MACH 2024, the company is reinforcing its automation and turnkey solutions\u2019 pedigree and credentials by showcasing two robot cells on its stand. The first of these \u2013 a SYNERGI Premier cell comprises a 12\u201d chuck Puma 3100SY sub-spindle, Y-axis turning centre integrated with a FANUC industrial robot, a five-drawer part load/unload station and a 17\u201d touchscreen iHMI.

The cell is driven by Mills\u2019 proprietary SYNERGi software. The second cell incorporating a compact 10\u201d chuck Lynx 2600SY sub-spindle Y-axis lathe is integrated with a cobot and this will be undertaking a range of machine tending operations.

Concludes Tony Dale: \u201cVisit us at MACH 2024 for a true voyage of discovery. We\u2019d b