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Backlash-free combined unit for high-quality machiningWith the MC series, NILES-SIMMONS offers CNC machining centers for turning and milling that combine maximum precision with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. These machine tools are in great demand in the aerospace industry, for which they were originally developed, but demand also comes from other sectors. The Redex combined system consists of two planetary gearboxes with integrated pinion, preloaded and backlash-free, which helps ensure exceptional machining with workpiece accuracy of up to +/- 2 µm.This is CNC turning and milling at the highest level: with With the NILES-SIMMONS N40 MC machining center, users can produce rotationally symmetrical components up to nine meters in length, with a swing diameter of up to 1,100 mm, and weighing up to four tons in a single setup and, if necessary, as a 100% automated machining process. The machining center allows for the integration of various machining operations, such as turning, milling, grinding, and measuring, all performed with high precision. The 60° tilt-bed technology of the welded steel frame, filled with concrete, contributes significantly to machining accuracy.Target applications: High-precision complete machining for the aerospace industryThis machining center is primarily used in the aerospace industry, which also uses the smaller and larger models of the MC series: from the N20 MC to the N60 MC series. Some of the components produced by these machines are subject to high stress over time, such as aircraft landing gear. This type of application is virtually integrated into the machines from the design stage.Carsten Hirche, project manager for the N40/N50/N60 series at NILES-SIMMONS, explains: «The goal was to develop a new generation of lathes in collaboration with a leading international supplier of jet engines. However, the series is also used in the oil and gas pipeline industries, and for general heavy-duty machining; in other words, wherever complex workpieces with extreme requirements in terms of precision and stability need to be produced."Modular options, flexible machiningThe characteristic profile of these machines, in this case the N40 MC model, can be summarized as follows: it can be designed as a single or multiple-slide machine, offers maximum precision, and is also very easy to operate and extremely flexible. The modular system allows for the addition of variable machining units, and with different tool systems, tool magazine sizes, and a wide range of options, users can tackle even the most challenging machining tasks. They can also adapt the dimensions of the N40 MC machine to their needs, as the machining center is available in various nominal lengths.The challenge: designing powerful, high-precision mechanical axis controlOne of the many challenges the design team faced during development was selecting an axis guidance system that could meet the highest positioning and machining accuracy requirements. The choice was between direct drives or geared drives. For the bed carriage, the NILES-SIMMONS designers opted for a rack-and-pinion drive from Redex. This allows for rapid machining processes for large components. Key specifications: the maximum travel speed is 30 m/min with an acceleration of 3 m/s² and a moving mass of up to 4,500 kg. Depending on the model, the machine can achieve a feed force of up to 30,000 N.A rack-and-pinion system with electrical preload was chosen.Although the aforementioned specifications are already impressive, they still say nothing about precision. Carsten Hirche continues: "The precision requirements that are met are very high. The machine must guarantee maximum precision and zero backlash even under high forces and accelerations." Here's another fact: we achieve repeatability accuracies in the µm range, with overall part accuracy of up to +/- 2 µm.Why was the Redex DRP2 series chosen for this application? «The factors that influenced the decision were power transmission, vibration behavior, precision, and optimized integration, in terms of space, into the machine architecture.»DRP: High-precision, backlash-free combined systemThe DRP combined system consists of two high-quality planetary gearheads housed in a torsion-resistant spheroidal cast iron monoblock. The two integrated pinions on the output side engage the rack and, via the master-slave operation of the motors, create the desired preload to enable highly precise, backlash-free movement.This design is well-suited in theory and practice and allows designers to achieve greater travel distances and precision than ball screws, which also have limitations in terms of achievable machining accuracy on the workpiece due to high travel speeds and increased temperatures on the machine frame.The NILES-SIMMONS team is completely satisfied not only with the product used, but also with the collaboration during the design phase. Carsten Hirche sums up: "Redex provided us with excellent support, and we always received competent answers to our questions." And the result speaks for itself: the N40 MC machining center is used worldwide in extremely demanding applications, not just in the aviation industry.
Inovance provides OEMs with compact 5-axis CNC micro milling products.The high-performance machine weighs just 120 kg, without compromising performance.It saves on weight, size, power consumption, costs, and carbon footprint.French machine manufacturer S3DEL has used technology from global industrial automation specialist Inovance to create a high-performance 5-axis CNC micro milling machine. S3DEL's new machine, while offering the same technologies and functionality as heavy-duty machines, weighs just 120 kg and integrates Inovance servos, motors, and other components.S3DEL supplies micro milling machines and equipment for a variety of industries—from jewelry to dentistry—specializing in customized solutions. The company was looking for a partner capable of providing compact technology to reduce the size and weight of its machines without compromising performance.Local Service and Compact, High-Performance Products from InovanceThe French OEM chose Inovance for its strong local technical and engineering support in France. Inovance products, selected by S3DEL for their efficiency, precision, and speed in motion control, were delivered quickly. Another key factor was Inovance's communication and integration of ISO-coded interfaces.The Inovance solutions used in the micro milling machine include the ultra-compact PA9000 EtherCAT CNC controller, robust and lightweight, with true five-axis technology (RTCP). In addition, S3DEL has integrated the compact, high-performance SV660N servo controller, the highly dynamic MS1 servo motor, the compact MD200 high-frequency AC drive, and other peripheral products such as I/O modules and line filters.Smaller, lighter micro milling machine maintains performance and generates savingsThe state-of-the-art S3DEL micro milling machine is not only lighter, but also significantly more compact and operates at 220 V instead of 440 V. In addition to the reduction in size, weight, and power consumption, the micro machine is now much easier to move and handle. In addition to cost savings, the device has a smaller carbon footprint, and the complex project was completed within a short timeframe. S3DEL emphasizes that close collaboration with Inovance engineers was crucial to meeting the installation and commissioning deadlines.Damien Chambrey, CEO of S3DEL, says: “Collaboration with the Inovance engineering team was a key factor in the success of the project. Each person gave 200% of their energy. We are satisfied with the result and will certainly consider collaborating with Inovance on future projects.”Cedric Pujols, Country Manager of Inovance Technology France, adds: “We really enjoyed working with S3DEL on this exciting project. We were impressed by the fact that the company is not only focused on profit, but is also strongly committed to reducing carbon emissions. We hope to continue collaborating with S3DEL in the future.”
Introducing Pay per PartImagine producing components in repeat batches and focusing solely on delivery instead of managing tooling sourcing, logistics, and performance issues. No replenishment or quality concerns, and no last-minute panic when you realize you're out of the tools you need to complete the job. Today, manufacturers can't afford to be overwhelmed by paperwork that slows down productivity. As Johan Huss, Vice President Digital Products and Services at Sandvik Coromant, explains, the future lies in business models that reduce complexity on the shop floor and directly link costs to actual productivity.Forty-four percent of engineers spend at least six hours a week dealing with procurement issues, according to Fictiv's latest State of Manufacturing report, which found that 19 percent of engineers surveyed spent more than eight hours a week (a full working day) on procurement activities in 2025. This percentage is up from 13% in 2024, underscoring the growing burden on teams managing an increasingly complex supply chain.But it's not just the time spent ordering new tools that's at stake. Research by Sandvik Coromant shows that, although tooling represents only 3-5% of total production costs, its poor management negatively impacts many other areas, leading to operator downtime, scrap, and emergency purchases. In fact, up to 20% of an operator's time can be wasted simply searching for the right tool, a prime example of how small setbacks can add up very quickly.This data also highlights another need: manufacturers need more efficient service and technology-based procurement solutions that streamline workflows and allow teams to focus on higher-value activities. Outcomes matter more than production volumesThis is where outcome-based models can make a tangible difference, especially for those working in high-volume machine shops. Production rates.Let's start by examining how a typical procurement process works. It begins with scheduling a batch of parts, so the first thing to do is check tooling availability. Now, imagine inventory is running low and an engineer or purchasing representative needs to place a purchase order, perhaps from multiple suppliers. Replenishment times will need to be tracked, deliveries monitored, and invoices reconciled. In many cases, teams hold "emergency" inventory that ties up capital and takes up warehouse space.For a fast-paced machine shop, this cycle repeats endlessly, stealing valuable production time that could otherwise be used to improve processes or solve design challenges. This is where outcome-based models can literally turn this tooling strategy on its head. Instead of purchasing tools as consumables, manufacturers pay a fixed cost for each finished component.The "pay-per-use" model works like shopping at the supermarket: the buyer pays only for what he uses. Thus, manufacturers pay for a service or product based on how much they will use it, rather than paying a fixed fee. In other words, if a machine shop uses more, it will pay more, and vice versa. It's an efficient and flexible way to access services or products.At Sandvik Coromant, the Pay per Part service was designed to remove any complexity from the machining processes and offer customers maximum transparency into their production costs. The first phase consists of a detailed analysis of the customer's situation, where the team takes the time to understand their business objectives and review their existing tooling strategy to identify areas for improvement.This may reveal, for example, that there are too many tools in stock or that a lot of valuable time is wasted searching for the right tool for the entire shop. With this analysis, Sandvik Coromant experts can develop a tooling strategy tailored to the customer's components and challenges. This includes selecting the most efficient tools, setting the right process parameters, and integrating digital solutions to ensure transparency and monitor performance.Keyly, the result is a fixed cost per component, offering the customer significant benefits in terms of predictability and control. Instead of managing tool costs separately or worrying about unexpected downtime, every aspect of the manufacturing process fits into a single, reliable cost structure.A partner for real results The advantages of this model are clear. Costs become transparent and predictable, with no unexpected expenses. Daily operations are simpler because less time is spent managing tools, which benefits production. Process reliability improves, resulting in reduced downtime and scrap, while a commitment to continuous optimization delivers tangible savings year after year.The "pay-per-use" model also promotes sustainability, as tool reconditioning, reduced packaging, smarter logistics, and longer tool life all help eliminate waste and reduce environmental impact.The service is not static but committed to continuous optimization, with gradual updates to improve tool life, process stability, and overall efficiency. By combining advanced tooling expertise with continuous, data-driven refinements, the Pay per Part model ensures production that is not only reliable but also increasingly efficient over time.With Pay per Part, Sandvik Coromant not only provides tools but also offers time and stability, positioning itself as a partner for concrete results. Manufacturers will have the security of knowing that each component will be produced with guaranteed quality and at a fixed cost, while the complexities of tooling, logistics, and optimization will be managed by dedicated experts, ensuring production is always at the highest levels.Today, manufacturers cannot risk being overwhelmed by administrative procedures. On the contrary, they need a model that recognizes their needs and offers value-oriented support, specific to their performance, starting with tool logistics and the choice of a partner capable of supporting them in a predictable, transparent and intuitive way, leading to increasingly profitable production.For more information on Sandvik Coromant's Payment per Part service, visit the website.Sandvik CoromantTogether with customers and partners, Sandvik Coromant paves the way to a sustainable future and provides tooling solutions to the mechanical engineering industries from around the world. Over eighty years of practical experience have allowed us to accumulate a wealth of knowledge in metal cutting and processing. This expertise transforms every challenge into an opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions. Our goal is to pursue positive change by promoting sustainability, efficiency, and growth to shape a future where innovation is at the forefront. Part of the global industrial engineering group Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant is committed to building the future, together with its customers.
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