After an absence from direct sales into the UK market of over 15 years, Italy-based machine tool builder, CB Ferrari, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has appointed IWSH Ltd as its UK distributor. The agreement covers the entire C B Ferrari range of high performance, multi-axis,
Aerospace applications suited to C B Ferrari’s machine tools
machining centres, polishing machines and laser systems, all of which are ideally suited to applications within the aerospace sector, blade manufacturing in particular, with its A, S and N series of machines, as well as mould and die, where its D series large capacity machines meet all the requirements of the mould maker.
CB Ferrari manufactures a series of 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining centres, including high speed linear motor machines, that are targeted at blade machining and also complex shaped components. C B Ferrari has therefore invested heavily in in-house development of sofware that optimises cutter paths when machining turbine blade profiles by producing a true geometric shape in-line with the blades CAD profile to 0.02 mm. For the mould and die sector, its D-series full, simultaneous, 5-axis machines have axis travels up to 3,000 x 2,200 x 1,000 and can be supplied with tilting head/integral rotary table or an optional 2-axis spindle head. C B Ferrari’s series of polishing/grinding, feature the same path optimisation software as the machining centres, making them also ideal for finishing turbine blades, greatly reducing the amount of hand-finishing and improving product quality.
The C B Ferrari D series five-axis machine is ideal for mould and die work
In addition to the metacutting and polishing range, CB Ferarri also offers 3- and 5-axis laser systems for texturing, drilling and welding. Here it has developed its Liquid Jet Laser technology that allows deep-sided cavities with parallel sides to be lasered. The ability to cut in this way also opens up opportunities normally associated with wire-cut EDM systems.
“We have experience of working on the existing Ferrari machines installed in the UK and the quality of the machines and their capability seemed to be a perfect fit for UK manufacturing,” says Ian Warren, IWSH’s head osf sales and operations. “The machines, while renowned for their aerospace application, are also widely used in the mould and die and medical sectors.
“We believe that there is significant potential for the technology manufactured by C B Ferrari in the UK. And, what gives us more confidence is the fact that they design and manufacture the key elements of the machines, including spindles, in-house. This control of quality is evident in the finished machines. Add to this their expertise in blade manufacturing software and we believe that their range is a perfect fit for the high added value manufacturing sector that we are renowned for.
The C B Ferrari A series high-speed, high-precision, mobile-column, vertical machining centre
Cornwall-based IWSH is a leading specialist in retrofitting, service and repair of a wide range of machines and CNC controls, in particular Fanuc systems. It also has on-board extensive machine tool sales experience gained with leading UK machine suppliers. The association with C B Ferrari is an ideal opportunity for it to extend its existing remit by adding new machine sales to the services it already provides to to customers, including existing users of C B Ferrari machines.
IWSH Ltd
Tel: 01503 230079
Email: ian.warren@iwshltd.com
www.iwshltd.com