Success in the demanding Formula One workholding sector has led to Roemheld expanding its range of 5-axis vices and jaws accordingly. With Roemheld vices already scoring highly for rigidity, repeatability and performance with Formula One end users, during 2007 the Roemheld group invested in research and development on the changing demands of 5-axis machines. As a result, the latest range of workholding solutions to suit all types of machine tool and table size will be on show for visitors to the Roemheld stand No E426 at Autosport 2008.

On display at the stand will be the new additions to the Hilma MC100 vice range which are now available in the smaller size of 360mm but which will still clamp up to 250mm. An extended range of 5-axis vice jaws is also now available. Bill Neal, Managing Director of Roemheld, said: “Machining tables are generally becoming smaller, which is why we have extended our range of Hilma vices to include more compact vices that still offer a larger than life performance.”

For many years now Roemheld components have been the hidden force driving cylinder head production. The Roemheld Stark zero point mounting range will be an attraction of the stand and the original Speedy ‘Classic’ will demonstrate how simple ideas stand the test of time. As well as Matrix hydraulic clamping systems, new elements within the Roemheld range designed for bespoke clamping fixtures will also be on show. These will include the latest compact double-acting bore clamps, sequence valves and work supports.

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Simply click here to be entered into a free prize draw for the chance to win a free pair of tickets to Autosport. There are five pairs of tickets to be won and each ticket is worth up to £40. The closing date for entries is 7 December 2007.

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On 5 November 2007 Roemheld UK moved its head office from Northampton to new premises in Birmingham. 

Bill Neal, Managing Director of Roemheld, said: “We managed the move as seamlessly as possible so that it remained business as usual throughout. The new office is perfect for our needs and is more centrally located – which is important as our sales team services the whole of the UK.”

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“It was good to hear about the new products and technologies and how they could effectively be used in production and reduction in set-up times. There are a few areas that come to mind immediately where we can apply some of the products presented today, in designs currently being looked at.”
Adam Dyckhoff, M D, Saluki Limited.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I would like to arrange an in-house session in the New Year around Zero Point Technology, plus the whole ethos of the Roemheld Group.”
Tom Burne, Sales Director, Jemma Tools.

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Roemheld is proud to announce it will now be offering a range of high quality, and competitively priced NC-rotary indexing tables from specialist manufacturer FTW.

The TG series of tables, with a centre height of 115mm – 220mm, offer high mechanical accuracy in a small housing. All operate with adjustable worm gears and axial-radial roller bearings and offer the rigidity necessary to obtain high machining forces.

The FTW NC-rotary indexing tables from Roemheld are also modular in design, offering a greater flexibility of applications and the ability to extend to two-axis with up to four spindles. Making them suitable for most manually operated or automated workpiece clamping requirements.

As well as offering standard, turnkey solutions, the FTW NC-rotary indexing tables from Roemheld are also available as bespoke solutions.

Bill Neal, Managing Director of Roemheld, said: "The inclusion of FTW within the Roemheld Group allows us to extend our commitment to being a single source supplier of added value workholding solutions."

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When Hemlock Engineering Ltd invested in two of the fastest 5-axis milling machines in the world in 2005, they knew that they needed vices that would help them maximise the machining capabilities. That is why they specified Hilma SCS120 and SCS80 vices from Roemheld.

Nick Marks, Technical Support Engineer for Hemlock, said: “There was no point buying expensive machines and skimping on the vices as speed and balancing is vital. Accuracy and repeatability are also key and you cannot afford to be even a few microns out as it can cause larger errors and mismatches by the time the work piece has been moved in several axes. We often hold large pieces of metal on the 3mm lip of the Hilma vices in the knowledge that the parts will be held securely and safely. I had used Roemheld before and knew they would be the right choice for our 5-axis requirements.”

The company produces parts for printers for the food industry as well as supplying general sub-contract engineering for the aerospace and automotive industry. The introduction of the 5-sxis machines in 2006 has enabled Hemlock to undertake more specialist work, leading to new clients including a Formula One contract and enquiries from the military.

Nick Marks said: “5-axis capabilities have opened a few more doors for us and enabled us to offer more one-off machining. The nature of 5-axis machining puts a lot of strain on the vices and the biggest problem is that jaws can bow. However, Hilma vices are strong enough to cope with the demands of 5-axis work and perform to the tight tolerances and high repeatability we require.”

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AC Hydraulics Limited, a Roemheld partner and distributor for over 25 years, began trading in October 1977 from Alan & Shelia Cobley’s garage at their home in the Midlands. It soon became one of the UK’s largest suppliers of hydraulic & pneumatic equipment in world leading brands such as Roemheld workholding. From its small beginnings the business has grown considerably and in 1996 turnover exceeded £3 million with clients including Jaguar and Rolls Royce amongst many other well-known names. In 2006 ACH acquired Hydrapower Systems and Distribution, thus strengthening its coverage in the South.

As well as offering customers an extensive range of products, the company also designs and builds hydraulic and pneumatic control systems and offers technical expertise and product support that competitors find hard to match.

Alan and Shelia retired in 2003 leaving the business in the hands of a management team with a combined length of service with ACH of over 60 years. Mark Chapman, Sales & Marketing Director, commented:

“We have a very good team of people at ACH but there is no doubt the Roemheld product has contributed to ACH success because of its quality and depth of range. Roemheld continues to lead and is helping us to adapt to a changing market by bringing in new and different products to meet the customers requirements for better and quicker methods of production and assembly.”

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Roemheld welcomes Janet Overton who will be taking over as Office Administrator on Rosemary’s retirement. Janet previously worked as an administrator for a Birmingham-based corporate gift company.

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Company registration number: 1941520 Place of registration: Bedford
Registered address: Roemheld UK ltd, Rubery House, The Avenue, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9AL.
T: +44 (0)121 453 1414 F: +44 (0)560 150 2375 VAT number: 426659427