Precision Partnership Develops New Air Bearing Technique

Release Time：04 Jan,2018

<p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/membcentre/editor/attached/image/20180104/20180104093618_19538.jpg" alt="" style="line-height:1.5;" /><span style="line-height:1.5;"></span> </p> <p style="text-align:left;"> <span style="line-height:1.5;"> </span> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <span style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;font-weight:700;">Loxham Precision, a high precision machine tool company located at Cranfield University and Ultra Precision Motions (UPM), a specialist bearing company based near Swindon have announced a collaboration that will see the creation of a new high precision manufacturing technology for producing air bearing components.</span> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <span style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;font-weight:700;"><br /> </span> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> This collaboration has gained support from the Manufacturing and Materials programme operated by Innovate UK. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> The project will see the companies develop a new manufacturing technique to produce specialist air bearing components that are widely employed within the multi-axis μ6 CNC machine tool range produced by Loxham Precision. Air bearings of this type offer a non-contact, friction-free motion that enables high precision machining of super smooth surfaces. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> Paul Shore of Loxham Precision said: “This Innovate UK project will establish a new means to produce micrometre scale features of novel air bearing designs originally pioneered by UPM. This new production technology will enable the automated fabrication of air bearings significantly reducing their manufacturing cost.” </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> The recently launched Loxham μ6 machine product is a 6-axis CNC micro-machining system. Dimensionally, it occupies a similar footprint to that of a domestic white goods product (600mm x 600mm x 1,000mm) yet provides a workpiece machining volume of 125mm x 125mm x 150mm. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <img class="wp-image-28087 alignleft" src="https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-1024x575.jpg" alt="" width="353" height="198" srcset="https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-512x287.jpg 512w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-768x431.jpg 768w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-350x196.jpg 350w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-256x144.jpg 256w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://www.pesmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PES_Feb17_News_Loxham-1.jpg 1037w" sizes="(max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px" style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;max-width:100%;height:auto;clear:both;float:left;margin:0px 1em 0px 0px;" /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> The machine provides comprehensive turn-mill capabilities and is designed for eased automation with post machining metrology. The machine’s electronics and control systems are integrated into the base of the machine which has integral temperature control. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> The μ6 is described by Mr Shore as ‘new era’ and highly integrated in the same way mobile phones are also cameras and portable music players. It provides 2/3-axis precision turning and 4/5-axis micro-milling. In comparison to conventional machine tools the μ6 has a very small environmental footprint, operates via single phase electricity supply, employs non-contacting air bearings and has a 100% recyclable machine structure. And at less than 500kg, the machine is easily transported and brought into operation. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> Furthermore, the machine has been developed with a local manufacturing supply chain reducing distribution costs and emissions impact. </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> <br /> </p> <p style="box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1em;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-size:16px;line-height:22.3999996185303px;list-style-type:none;-webkit-padding-start:0px;-webkit-margin-before:0px;-webkit-margin-after:0px;color:#434343;font-family:'Source Sans Pro', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;white-space:normal;"> Aimed predominantly at the manufacture of instruments, sensors, moulds, optics, medical devices, quantum devices, compound semiconductors and components for the watchmaking industry, Loxham has sold μ6 machines into leading UK research centres and is currently validating performance of automated versions for a number of commercial organisations. </p> <br /> <p> <br /> </p>