Carbon fibre monocoque chassis machined by Breton EAGLE vertical machining centre

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Sergio Prior

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breton eagle, breton vertical machining centres, carbon fiber, high-speed machining center

Breton China

An interview with Mr Riccardo Falchetto, Breton China Manager

How many people are in the Breton China team?

Currently, the Breton China team consists of 8 people, both Italians and from other countries, all of whom are selected to be part of a highly efficient and competent team.

What sort of services do you offer?
Breton China offers above all a commercial service for promotional and sales purposes. But in our branch  our customers can also benefit from a speedy assistance and machine installation service, with personnel trained directly by Breton SpA. We will soon also have a spare parts warehouse to offer the fastest repair services. This is further commitment to our customers in the Far East to guarantee fast response times to meet any requirements with our equipment and technicians.

What are the characteristics of the Chinese market?
The Chinese market is now the most important market in the world for machine tool users. The leading sectors are the Aeronautical and molding/modelling sectors. The aeronautical sector is essentially dominated by big, state-owned companies, but in the last two years many private companies and private/public companies have also been established with a promising outlook in subcontracting and commission manufacturing. Breton China operates in the molding sector, where the companies are private and look above all for products of quality, so it's been fairly easy to establish profitable business relations, while in the aeronautical sector dominated by state-owned companies we have been developing a network of relations that starts to bear fruit; public relations are essential in an institutional context such as this in Asia.

What sort of development do you envisage in the sector you are operating in?
We expect it to be very promising. Breton China was established 2 years ago. In July we'll deliver 4 machines, and will have installed 10 machines by the end of the year. We expect to triple sales over the next 2 years.

Do you operate also in other Asian countries? Do you have any contacts in neighbouring countries for example-
We've sold machines in Pakistan and Singapore, but our focus is on China also due to the size of the country. In the molding sector alone there are around 35,000 companies. It's a strategic market for those looking to the future.

What are Chinese customers like to work with?
The big state-owned companies tender contracts to purchase machinery.  The lowest bid does not always win the orders. They usually buy products they've used in the past and don't really put their trust in something new. These difficulties can only be solved with a methodical and convincing action directly "in situ" for satisfactory, long-term results. Customer relations are essential, and Breton has just what it takes to be the very best partner. 

Thank Mr. Falchetto
By-by

Sergio Prior

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Breton China, high-speed machining center, vertical machining centres, Vertical turning and milling center, vmc

Breton ULTRIX - various work pieces

I collected a series of photos illustrating various working pieces on high-speed machining centres ULTRIX that I hope may be useful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Easter to all

Sergio

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5 axis machining centers, aerospace machining, breton cnc 5 axis, CNC turning and milling center, high speed cnc, high-speed machining center, Ultrix breton, vertical turning centre

Skills and technology to grow: ALESA & BRETON

The world of moulds and dies requires state-of-the art technology to be competitive in an evermore aggressive market. Alesa, an enterprise located in Brescia, is aware of this and over the last few years has invested in Breton multi-functional work centres.

 (by Andrea Pagani and Ernesto Imperio)

Alesa, specialist company in the thermoplastic  injection moulding industry for medium to large size moulds, over the years, step by step, has improved and upgraded its  production technologically offering  customers today an  immeasurable experience.  Gilberto Nicolini, the company owner, explained how the company has expanded and grown thanks to implementing advanced production technology and flexibility, cornerstones of an expansion strategy in a highly competitive market that demands superior quality products.  The company founded in 1979 in Paitone and as of 2007 located in Mazzano, Brescia, has increased its technology and skills to satisfy market requirements. “When we first set out on this business venture" Mr Nicolini explains, " We were a small business concern and only had milling machines for machining moulds but as time went by we began to grow diversifying our product range and investing in new equipment.  The story  of this company has been lived with passion and professionalism seeing how we have built our know-how day after day. I remember the first tool machines we had, then when we retrofitted our first machine for CNC machining, successively employing  the new machine tools available  and so on until we invested in our first high-speed machining centre -  a Breton NC 800 2T bought in 2000.” 

In 2003 Alesa took another stride forwards and bought a Breton Matrix 800 K16 and then in 2007 when the company moved to  the new premises in 2007 replaced the NC 800 2T with the newer improved K25 model part of the Breton Matrix range. "We were amongst the first in our area to invest in high-speed milling technology which proved to be decisive  for our business in terms  of technology and sales.  When we bought the NC 800 2T this was the start of a long-term partnership with the Treviso based manufacturer and which has led to the recent investment in two high-speed multi-functional work centres, the Matrix 800 K16 with Selca 4060 D CNC technology and the Matrix 800 k25 with Heidenhain TNC 530 CNC. 
 
Being competitive with Breton
Alesa implements stringent production and in-house quality control procedures to offer superior quality and precision engineered moulds for the injection moulding industry. The moulds are used across a broad range of applications from the automotive industry to household appliances, furniture, gardening and packaging.   The NC 800 2T work centre, replaced by the two newer Matrix models, was for Alesa important training in improving skills and experience in high-speed milling and the use of CAM technology. An experience which has led to closing significant orders both on the domestic and international markets and more in particular with German and Swiss customers. “We immediately noticed” Mr Nicolini goes on to say “The advantages of using high-speed technology.   This was the right direction to become more competitive offering a quality and improved product.  The two Breton Matrix centres allowed us to decidedly improve our quality.  Our know-how and skills and the improved features and functions of these work centres permit us to exploit all the power of these high-speed machines.  The quality surface finish is excellent thanks to the structural rigidity of these centres which combined with the possibility of employing 5-axis machining and head precision milling have allowed us to offer extremely complex products which we wouldn’t have been able to produce without these centres”.

With the Matrix 800 centres production times have been  reduced by two thirds.  An important aspect giving any company that competitive edge. “ Breton has been fundamental in helping us improve our production skills for two reasons, first they listen to our needs and then, in some cases, these needs are then incorporated into their machines and secondly they have offered us training in using the Heidenhain CNC technology which was new for us as we had always used Selca CNC until we bought the Matrix 800 K25.”

Matrix 800: the winning 5-axis solution
In the 90’s Breton, already an important name on the stone processing market for the machines offered, diversified production by introducing high-speed CNC work centres. A winning choice that placed the Castello di Godego based company, amongst the leading companies at an international level for milling machines.  Over the years Breton has developed a complete range of work centres which are now used across a number of applications for milling all the types of materials used in manufacturing industries. The skilled and expert Breton technical assistance service, which is built on the ability of responding to customer specific requirements, was definitely a winning point in favour when Alesa decided to invest in Breton machines. Alesa in Breton saw the ideal partner to work alongside with to achieve a farsighted project aimed at improving production technology and product quality. 

The Matrix 800 interpolated 5-axis high-speed machining centres are the ideal solution for milling medium size workpieces in steel, aluminium, composite materials and resin. Matrix 800, fast, flexible and compact, the ideal choice for die and tool manufacturing and producing precision parts for the aerospace industry, offers high performance and efficient machine  dynamics all in a compact design satisfying problems related  to  limited space and production logistics. The dual-drive gantry structure allows for optimising the work area guaranteeing machine operators maximum freedom of operation facilitating  workpiece positioning and machining offering maximum machine reliability, safety and performance. These latest models in arc welded steel with structural ribbing  offer improved all round structural rigidity. The flexibility in application and the power  of the MATRIX range are features guaranteed by the wide range of heads available which efficiently and ideally respond  to high-speed machining requirements.  The twist heads, all with axis “C” continuous rotation, and the user friendly programming allow this machine to perform complex  machining operations rapidly by milling  in three dimensions  simultaneously. Thanks to  the possibility of  axis A rotating  ± 105°, it is possible to machine  undercuts with the workpiece in the same position. The 5-axis model mounts high-performing electrospindles up to 55 kw with rotational speeds of 40,000 rpm perfect for high-speed machining  when performing roughing and finishing operations.  Thanks to the wide choice of optional accessories you can customise Matrix 800 to satisfy your specific machining and production requirements. 

Axis Y travel for the K16 and K25 models, installed at Alesa, are respectively 1,600 mm and 2,500mm whereas axis X and Z for both versions are the same, 2,000 mm and 800mm. Axis speed are 40 (X), 40 (Y) and 20 (Z) m/min. “We are extremely satisfied with both the Matrix machines “ Mr Nicolini declares  and concludes by saying " because we have seen a substantial increase in productivity and quality". We will continue to work in this direction and introduce new investment plans for machines which will provide us with greater production automation and allow us to produce large size moulds and dies."

Thanks go to TM - Teconologie Meccaniche and ALESA 
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5 axis machining centers, aerospace machining, Alesa, breton machining centre, high speed vertical machining centre, high-speed machining center, matrix

Breton automation - We make the Difference

With its exchange systems of differently sized pallets, Breton opens new pathways for complementing its 5-axes high-speed machines.

Increase in productivity is ensured by customized pallet exchange systems handling weights up to 1.000 kg (pallet included) and additional tool magazines with 30, 60 or 150 cells.

2-position pallet exchange system composed of a CNC controlled single-fork exchanger with pallet clamping device (diameter of 1.000 mm) (capacity: 1.000 kg).

 

Automatic 5-position 700 mm Ø pallet exchange system, without clamping jaws and composed of a pallet handler/exchanger, loding/unloading station and five pallets. For more info click here >> 

Automatic 2-position 800x800 mm pallet exchange system, composed of a CNC controlled pallet handler/exchanger with double clamping device and capacity of 800 kg.

Automatic piece exchanger through anthropomorphic robot with 2-position pick-up tongs.

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5 axis machining centers, aerospace machining, change pallet, high-speed machining center, machining centre, pallet exchange systems, Vertical turning and milling center, xceeder

Interview to Mr Alessandro Verduci Sales Manager of Breton at EMO 2011

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5 axis machining centers, aerospace machining, automotive machining centre, breton cnc 5 axis, breton machining centre, cnc milling machines, cnc vertical milling machine, high-speed machining center

Breton MATRIX - High-speed machining centres with five interpolated axes

Matrix 800-1000-1300

Matrix is a new range of machining centres with a gantry structure and moving cross beam designed and developed by Breton to satisfy the new and demanding manufacturing  requirements for  high-speed machining of complex and large size workpieces across various applications for die manufacturing, model making and styling.

Rigidity and high dynamics are distinctive features of this range making it ideal for machining a multitude of components and products at high speeds with maximum milling performance.
Matrix thanks to the speed of the linear axes which reaches up to 40 m/min, to the Direct Drive head with a rotational speed of up to 100 rpm and to continuous rotation of axis C,  this machining centre is the perfect solution for specific production requirements  as profiling complex workpieces with 5 continuous axes ensuring and guaranteeing maximum machining precision and performance.

The direct drive twist head, which can be positioned at any angle thanks to the powerful hydraulic operated brakes, allows for mounting 40kW spindles with rotation speeds of up to 28000 rpm providing this work centre with improved milling efficiency and performance.

The various available configurations of the Matrix range (travel X from 2500mm on Matrix 800 to 3900mm on Matrix 1300, Y from 2000 mm to 8000mm, Z from 1000mm to 1600mm) make these work centres the ideal solution for machining medium to large workpieces across a number of materials as steel, aluminium, resin and composite materials.

The closed structure and drive assemblies mounted on the top part of the machine, ensure maximum operator safety and maximum machining precision, performance and reliability.

Machining precision and quality are further enhanced  by the thermal symmetry of the machine  structure, and by the thermal stabilising system which stabilises and maintains the temperature of the balls nuts, bearings on axis Z and  axis drives  at the same temperature as that of  the machine structure.

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aerospace machining, automotive machining centre, breton machining centre, die, high-speed machining center, matrix, mould, vertical machining centre

Breton ULTRIX 1000 RT HD - Five axes, still and always

Ultrix 1000 RT HD, highly automated high-speed machining centre with 5 axes, engineered for milling, turning and grinding operations on up-to-1200mm diameter pieces. This machining centre is equipped with a powerful 75 kW, 300 Nm, 14.000 rpm spindle and with software for the cut of Klingelnberg and Gleason bevel gears. This is Breton’s answer to the constant demand for quality and precision in high automation production systems for the machining of mid-sized and small parts. 

Ultrix vertical machining centre is specifically conceived for machining steel, aluminium, superalloys and composite materials.

It features a gantry structure with mobile cross beam. The 5-axes movement is generated by the three linear axes combined with a rotary tilting table.

There are several models of Ultrix CNC milling and turning centres to choose from: the 800 (with 4 axes), the 800 RT and the Ultrix 1000, 1000 RT and 1000 RT HD.

The table rotation is around a C axis that can reach 1.000 rpm when turning. The A tilting axis can reach 100 rpm. The linear axes feature a speed of up to 60 m/minute. Ultrix are multipurpose machining centres performing consistently the horizontal and vertical turning, milling, drilling and grinding, with just one positioning of the piece.

 

The turning boring bar placed on a side of the vertical ram enables to turn externally pieces which are higher than the Z travel thanks to the additional 150 mm vertical stroke of the boring bar. In addition, this allows our milling and turning centres to use shorter tools, thus jolts are reduced and the utilization of vibration-damping bars is limited only to very deep turning operations on full-hard materials. 

Furthermore, Ultrix high-speed milling and turning centres can be fitted with a turning/milling spindle which, enabling to swivel the turning tool in various positions, allows to swiftly change from the vertical to the horizontal turning of the same piece, so as to optimize both the machining and the tools and, when working diagonally, to turn even pieces up to 1.000mm in diameter.  

All Ultrix models can be equipped with a tool-store holding 30, 60 or 150 tools, automatic pallet-changing facilities and an array of options to fully tailor the machine to the customer's various needs.

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aerospace machining, breton cnc 5 axis, CNC turning and milling center, Gleason bevel gears, high-speed machining center, Klingelnberg, mi, Ultrix breton, vertical machining centre

MAXIMA - Multipurpose Machining Centres for Milling and Turning Large Workpieces

Breton introduces the new MAXIMA range of multipurpose gantry machining centres, specially designed for the complete machining of mid-sized and large workpieces made of composite materials, resins, aluminium, steel and superalloys, particularly in the aerospace, energy, and transport sectors, that require both turning and milling.

These new machines available from Breton S.p.A. are powerful and dynamic thanks to their heavy-duty structure and turning and milling tables offering diameters up to 3.000 mm, torque up to 28.000 Nm and load capacities that can range as high as 12.000 kg.

MAXIMA's different models make it possible to carry out even the most demanding machining with top flexibility and operating efficiency, on machining ranges from 2.500x2.500x1.200 mm up to 8.500x3.500x2.000 mm and over.

MAXIMA centres also feature a rapid speed up to 60 m/min in the linear axes and a rotary speed up to 500 rpm.

An automatic system for head change, six interpolated axes and a design that allows using the work area to its full potential, help making this machine range extremely versatile. 

The 5-axes milling head with continuous C-axis rotation, A-axis rotation up to 135° and the usage of spindles providing a max. torque up to 1.300 Nm, enable its positioning without any angular limit, also thanks to high-powered hydraulic brakes. All this contributes further to increase MAXIMA’s power and versatility. In addition, special turning heads to perform both inside and outside turning are available.

For further productivity advantage, these centres can carry out turning, milling, drilling, tapping and grinding operations in just one setup.
The wide range of MAXIMA models ensure that even the most demanding and peculiar production requirements are met and exceeded.

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5 axis machining centers, CNC turning and milling center, cnc vertical milling machine, high-speed machining center, machining centers, Vertical turning and milling center