WARD CNC SHOWCASES WHY HYUNDAI-WIA IS A GLOBAL FORCE IN MACHINE TOOLS

Four new-to-the-UK Hyundai-Wia machines will be given their European public debuts at MACH, on the stand of T W Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC).

The quartet – two turning centres, a five-axis vertical machining centre (VMC) and a VMC/tapping centre – follow the launch by Hyundai-Wia of nine machines at last year’s EMO.

Their appearance at the Birmingham NEC not only reinforces the strength and technology-driven prowess of the South Korean machine tool builder, but it also demonstrates the continual expansion of the comprehensive ranges of machines available, from stock, from Ward CNC.

Indeed, visitors to MACH will also be able to view a small sample of machines from the extensive ranges that Ward CNC represents exclusively in the UK and Ireland for AXILE, Hankook, Hartford, Pinacho, Soraluce, Takisawa Japan and Takisawa Taiwan, in addition to Hyundai-Wia.

The four Hyundai-Wia machines on show in the UK for the first time are:

• The multi-tasking LM1800TTSY turning centre with Y axis and twin spindles/turrets (12 tools on each) has eight inch chucks (main and sub-spindle – both of 22 kW) and accommodates bar of 65 mm. Swing over the carriage is 290 mm, and maximum turning diameters and lengths are 230 mm and 673 mm, respectively.
• The L2000LSY slant bed CNC lathe has an eight inch main chuck and six inch sub-spindle chuck, and has travels of 265 mm in X, and 830 mm in both Y and Z.
• The award winning XF-2000 five-axis vertical machining centre, a 40,000 revs/min machine with 300 mm by 300 mm by 200 mm in X, Y and Z axes, rapid traverse rate of 50 m/min and 200 mm diameter table able to accommodate 15 kg loads.
• The iCut 400TD open-fronted, twin-pallet/dual table (both 650 mm by 400 mm) vertical machining/tapping centre. It has 14 kW, 12,000 revs/min spindle and travels in X, Y and Z of 520 mm, 400 mm and 330 mm, respectively. The ATC carries 14 tools as standard (optionally up to 24) and, importantly, user-friendly operation is courtesy of the Hyundai-ITROL CNC system.

Engaged in a range of interests including heavy machinery, defence components, aerospace and automotive, for example, as well as machine tools, factory automation and robotics, the company was established in 1976 and is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group. This has 52 affiliate companies (involved in steel, rail, construction etc) and around 277,000 employees worldwide.

Hyundai-Wia has been manufacturing machine tools under the Hyundai corporate umbrella since 1976 (it was formerly Kia Machine Tool) and has produced more than 180 different models over the years embracing CNC twin- and multi-axis lathes, including vertical turning/boring machines, vertical and horizontal machining centres, horizontal boring and milling machines, as well as grinders and special-purpose machinery. It supplies machines to over 60 countries.

Hyundai-Wia – a global force in machine tools

The latest batch of new machines – especially those being shown at MACH – is indicative of a company where progress never stops.

“Hyundai-Wia annually invests heavily in its machine and factory automation development strategies,” says Simon Whitworth, Ward CNC’s managing director. “And the fruits of that investment can be clearly seen not only by the machines’ high-standard of construction yet cost-competitiveness, but also by their high-technology specifications and the production benefits they bring to machine users in all industry sectors.”

He continues: “UK companies are no exception, with a host of firms across the myriad of industry sectors consistently producing high-quality components in reduced cycle times thanks to Hyundai-Wia machining technologies.”

• The installation of a KIT450 two-axis lathe not only immediately shaved cycle times by 18 per cent on an existing component at DJT Engineering (Midlands) but by releasing capacity, the machine has also enabled the Walsall-based company to double its output of components derived from bar.
• The ability of a two-axis L300C lathe to produce finished flanges “to fine tolerances” compared to former methods has fully justified the machine purchase for S A Flanges of Rotherham, which adds that it is using the machine to its full capacity in terms of component size – it can handle bar of 90 mm and has a maximum turning length and diameter of 720 mm and 560 mm, respectively – and has been “a great investment”.
• Cosmopolitan Engineering of Sheffield is using a trio of Hyundai-Wia turning machines – L400LMC lathe with C axis and driven tools, SKT-300 turning centre and a L300C two-axis lathe – to consistently meet the demands of customers throughout the UK and in all industry sectors. The company says these machines have never let it down and “as each machine has been installed and put into service, we’ve noted its reliability and, subsequently, each time we needed to expand our CNC portfolio we didn’t have to worry too much about the quality of the machines or the back-up from Ward CNC nor, indeed, the cost-effectiveness of the packages on offer”.

Mr Whitworth again: “Hyundai-Wia machines are being regularly installed in the UK for a variety of tasks, from stand-alone machines for straightforward turning routines through to extensive installations for complex, one-hit processes.

“For instance, one of our most recent installations involves a 10-machine package, a combination of vertical machining centres and turning centres, for the production of civil nuclear engineering parts.

“Companies in this industry sector, and others including aerospace, don’t take machine investment decisions lightly, so they are obviously very confident in the reliability, consistently and effectiveness of the machines – which is entirely understandable.”

Ward CNC’s MACH stand will also feature the: Hyundai-Wia LV-450 compact VTL with C axis and driven tools; AXILE G8 five-axis overhead gantry-type VMC; and two Hartford open-fronted VMCs – both with the new and innovative Hartrol Plus control system, which offers exceptional user friendly features to enhance productivity.