WMG is to take part in a live demonstration of cutting edge machining technology as part of a technology seminar being run in Coventry by DMG / Mori Seiki next week.

The Ultrasonic Technology Seminar will focus on innovative machining strategies for challenging high-tech materials. As part of the seminar, attendees will visit WMG’s facilities to see the Ultrasonic 65 monoBLOCK in action.

WMG has a long-standing partnership with DMG / Mori Seiki and has recently taken delivery of the Ultrasonic 65 monoBLOCK at its International Manufacturing Centre workshop. The machine is capable of assisting conventional machining operations with the addition of ultrasonic vibrations which have been shown to significantly reduce the damage caused to materials which are difficult to machine, such as carbon fibre composites, while also improving the finished surface.

In addition, the Ultrasonic 65 can also machine extremely hard and brittle materials such as glass, ceramics and semi-conductors by utilising the ultrasonic vibrations to remove materials.

The demonstrations will be held daily at WMG at 1:30pm from 8th – 10th October. A range of materials will be machined and the technology will be explained and demonstrated by users.

Dr Stuart Barnes, head of Machining Research at WMG said:

This is an exciting and innovative development of the machining process and we are looking forward to working with our industrial partners to fully evaluate and exploit its capability.”

“One of the research areas we are currently working on is the machining of aerospace grade carbon fibre composites. These materials are notoriously difficult to machine due to their anisotropic microstructure and the abrasiveness of the carbon fibres. WMG and DMG are working together to research the use of ultrasonic-assisted machining to reduce damage and increase the cost effectiveness of the machining operations.”

The DMG open house event will be taking place from 7th – 11th October 2013, with the demonstration tours to WMG taking place between 8th-10th October.

More information is available from the DMG event flyer or the DMG / Mori Seiki website.