ACE Issue 31 2022 | Page 28

Sustainability is at the heart of a partnership FANUC UK and Electron Engineering Services . The partnership is helping to cut waste by breathing new life into old machines , repurposing them for today ’ s smart manufacturing needs

FANUC CNCs help Electron Engineering breathe new life info legacy equipment

28

Sustainability is at the heart of a partnership between robotics and automation specialist FANUC UK and machinery refurbishers Electron Engineering Services . By retrofitting a cutting-edge FANUC CNC into a lathe for a subcontract machinist , as well as a FANUC digital spindle motor and drive , servo drives and new electrical interface , this legacy machine has been upgraded ready for the digital age . As well as boosting productivity by delivering improved functionality , faster programming and enhanced reliability , the partnership is helping to cut waste by breathing new life into old machines , repurposing them for today ’ s smart manufacturing needs .

Based in Halifax , West Yorkshire , Electron Engineering Services Ltd ( EES ) has been refurbishing machinery for over 30 years . “ The majority of
The refurbishment service we provide brings these machines in line with modern day requirements , whilst ensuring that the brilliant engineering that went into them in the first place isn ’ t discarded .
the machines we refurbish – that we essentially remanufacture – are actually of a higher build quality than many of their more modern counterparts ,” explains Richard Vogel , EES Sales Director . “ They are of robust , predominantly high integrity cast iron construction , and would have been at the cutting-edge of technology when first commissioned .
“ The refurbishment service we provide brings these machines in line with modern day requirements , whilst ensuring that the brilliant engineering that went into them in the first place isn ’ t discarded . This includes making sure they are compliant with modern standards and regulations , as well as incorporating the latest software , motors and control technology to maximise efficiency .”
SUPERIOR DIGITAL CONTROL An important part of the machine refurbishment process is retrofitting a new CNC . Short for Computerised Numerical Control , CNC is an electronic process for controlling machine tools . From improved functionality and faster programming , through to