MTU: What are the latest technologies offered by Haas Automation?

TM: We have launched several new products in the recent time and at this edition of HaasTec we are displaying 5-axis UMC 750. , which provides extremely good efficiency in a compact manner. This is a new product and we have sold over 700 such machines worldwide in two years. This number speaks about the quality and demand of this product.

I would say this is Haas’s way of making five-axis machines affordable. The machine is also very accurate and pricing is very aggressive.

MTU: Please tell us more about HaasTec?

TM: This is the 7^th HaasTec in India. The entire idea of the show is to present the full range of Haas machines to local customers where they can get the live demonstration of the machines. Since this show is in Pune, our focus in mainly on customers from Maharashtra. We have welcomed around 3000 visitors in these 4 days from in and around Pune.

Other important point of the show is that we have five technical experts from USA, along with our local technical persons to answer each and every query of the customer. The purpose of the show is not just sales but also to educate customers about latest innovations in the CNC industry.

We started HaasTec few years ago in Chennai and it has become a well-known show in India. We also organize it in cities like Manesar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The next HaasTec would be held in February in Bengaluru.

MTU: What are the other technologies that are shaping the CNC industry?

TM: Several customers across the globe are looking for more automated solutions. Making automation means loading and unloading of component in the machine automatically and other factors to reduce human intervention is growing. So this demand is pushing CNC manufacturer to make machine that are highly automated and smart in nature.  

MTU: We all know that automotive industry is the biggest consumer of machine tool, but for the last few years the industry is not in its best shape. What are the other avenues for CNC builders like Haas?

TM: Automotive is traditionally and even today the biggest consumer of machine tool. Since we are having a wide variety of product range, we cater to various other industries like aerospace, medical, power & energy, general engineering and die mould, among others. In India we see a good demand from aerospace industry.

Joins the conversation Chris Mchugh, Business Manager, Haas Automation, Inc.

MTU: How is your experience working with the Indian customers?

CM: So far it’s been pretty good, I find that Indians are an intelligent group of people and are well aware of the machining processes. Indians are also very particular about what they want; I get more questions from Indians than any other market.

MTU: Which continent contributes most to Haas sales?

CM: Around 53% of our sales are from the USA market and rest are exports. We really control the CNC machine industry in USA.

MTU: How is competition from Asia, as there are many cost effective machines coming from Taiwan and China among others?

TM: Competition is everywhere but what makes us different is our expertise when it comes to CNC machines. We have huge experience backed with some of the most skilled technical manpower in our factory, where we only focus on innovations. Also, we have good number of sales support team who can serve customer at any given point.

MTU: What are your plans for Indian market?

CM: Growth! We believe India has a lot of potential and we are very much focused on the Indian market.

HAASTECs are synonymous with CNC machining technology showcasing the very best and latest in technology for milling, turning, measuring and more helping CNC machine shops the world over become improve performance, productivity and profit !!!

The recently concluded HAASTEC Pune from 9^th to 12^th December 2015, was a grand event managed by the local Haas Factory Outlet (HFO)– A Division of CNC Servicing & Solutions (A Phillipscorp Group Company). “Pune is home to a large number of industries, the most popular ones being Automotive and General Engineering, therefore it was a perfect fit to host this year’s HaasTec here” says Nikhil Modi, Marketing Coordinator for the local HFO.

With over 3000 attendees over 4 days, this latest edition of the popular HaasTec show held at Auto Cluster Exhibition grounds in Chinchwad was an action packed event with live demos on the 8 HAAS machines on display. Visitors from Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Nasik, Mumbai and of course Pune and adjoining areas came in large numbers with 3096 attendees from over 1600 companies directly or indirectly connected with CNC machining.

“On behalf of the HAAS team, I would like to thank all our customers and partners who attended our HAASTEC in huge numbers proving once again that the focused format of the HAASTEC shows provide the best value in terms of sharing knowledge, ideas and best practices for the CNC machine shop fraternity.” says Terrence Miranda, Managing Director, HAAS Factory Outlet Mumbai.

HaasTec included machine demonstrations, extensive technical tours displaying a HAAS VF-2 showcased in an open condition and live floor presentations of various productivity options such as through spindle coolant, probing systems and our new barfeeder, all for the benefit of our customers to truly see what makes HAAS unique!!! The UMC-750 Universal 5 axis Machining Centre, the large, powerful VF-7/50 and the compact, flexible ST-10Y, Y Axis turning center stole the show featuring some aggressive cutting parameters and innovative machining strategies. A full range of HAAS spindles and rotary products on display and a HAAS INFO BAR completed the round up.

With 15 exhibitors displaying their latest products and technical experts in attendance from major Tooling, Workholding, Accessories, CAD/CAM, Measurement and Probing manufacturers the PUNE HAASTEC truly lived the theme: PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIVITY, PROFIT.

Customers visiting the event were able to discuss their queries with experts from HAAS Automation Inc USA: Chris McHugh – Business Manager & Ernesto Flores – Product Specialist.

HaasTec Pune 2015 received rave reviews from visitors and exhibitor vendor partners alike. The Delcam spokesperson had this to say: “The event is unique in the sense that our customers and prospects get to see solutions here, rather than just products’’. The Renishaw spokesperson described the event as, “A great platform to display our technology.’’

The feedback from the event was extremely positive and this naturally poses an even greater challenge for the HAAS team already planning the next HaasTec in Bangalore in February 2016 as the bar has been set very high indeed!!!

The popular HaasTec show is returning to India this year. Managed by the Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) in India (Phillipscorp, CNCSSIPL division), the HaasTec will take place on 09^th – 12^th December at Auto Cluster, PCMC, Pune.

In line with previous HaasTec events, a number of innovative, affordable Haas CNC machine tools will be on view. Machines like UMC-750 five-axis universal machining centre and the ST-35 big bore CNC lathe will be on display. All of the Haas CNC machine tools on display will be powered and performing demonstrations, cutting metal. Haas specialists from the HFO will be available to guide visitors through the demonstrations and answer any questions about the machines.

The UMC-750 five-axis vertical machining centre offers a capacity of 762 x 508 x 508 mm in the X, Y and Z-axis respectively. It features a two-axis inbuilt trunnion rotary table and a 40-taper, 22.4 kW, 12000 rpm direct drive spindle. Other features of this advanced machine include a 40+1 side mount tool changer, 25.4 m/min rapids, co-ordinate rotation and scaling, rigid tapping, a wireless intuitive probing system and a 284 litre flood coolant system.

The Haas ST-35 big bore CNC lathe can accommodate bars up to 102 mm in diameter and offers a capacity of 533 (dia) x 660 mm (length) with 806 mm of swing. The 29.8 kW, 2400 rpm spindle is served by a two-speed gearbox, while additional features include a 381 mm chuck, 12-station bolt-on turret and rigid tapping capability.

Other Haas CNC machine tool models scheduled to appear at both HaasTec events include the ST-10Y turning center with Y-axis, the ever popular DT-1 Drill Tap machine with new 30 taper 15,000 rpm spindle, a VF-2 VMC, a VF-2SS, Mini Mill and the VF-7/50 VMC.

Visitors are invited to bring along components or drawings for a full evaluation of optimized machining solutions. Indeed, the HaasTec events will also feature a number of the company’s industrial partners, all able to offer complementary technologies and advice.

Valued for its ability to accurately program any machine tool, the Edgecam computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) solution by Vero Software will be showcased March 17-20 at HaasTec 2015, hosted at the Haas Automation, Inc., manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California.

Featuring more than 20 Haas machine tools actively cutting metal, HaasTec 2015 offers the latest in Haas technology, as well as a selection of industry vendors exhibiting the latest in tooling, probing, software, and more. Attendees will also be offered tours of the one million square-foot Haas manufacturing facility.

Guests to Haas Tec are encouraged to learn more about Edgecam at the event, where demonstrations of the software’s time-saving and quality-enhancing features will be pre-sented.

Among the solution’s latest upgrades is Edgecam Workflow, the market leading software application specifically designed for manufacturers to reduce costs, improve quality and achieve shorter lead times.

Workflow understands the component topology and understands the required manufactur-ing environment, therefore accelerating toolpath generation.

Workflow will have a significant impact on shortening programming time and, because it is so simple to operate, the learning curve for new users is considerably reduced.

HaasTEC returned to India on 19th-22nd November when the Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) Phillipscorp, CNCSSIPL staged an event at the complex of Vatva Industries Association in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state. Around 2500 visitors from 1000 regional companies attended, drawn to see a range of innovative, affordable Haas CNC machine tools on display. What’s more, over 500 engineering students paid a visit to the event to gain an insight into the latest machining technologies. The HaasTEC was inaugurated by chief guest, Sushil Luhar, the Managing Director of Ambica Engtech Pvt Ltd.

Making its debut appearance at the show was the UMC-750 five-axis universal machining centre. All Haas CNC machine tools at the event were under power and cutting metal. In addition, Haas specialists from the HFO were on hand to guide visitors through the demonstrations and answer questions about the machines.

The UMC-750 five-axis vertical machining centre, which drew a great deal of interest at the HaasTec, offers a generous capacity of 762 x 508 x 508 mm in the X, Y and Z-axis respectively. It features a two-axis, 630 x 500 mm integrated trunnion rotary table with +110 and -35 degrees of tilt and 360 degrees of rotation to provide excellent tool clearance and large part capacity up to 300 kg. Also featured is a 40+1 side mount tool changer and a 40-taper, 22.4 kW, 12000 rpm direct drive spindle.

The popular and immensely useful WIPS-R wireless intuitive probing system featuring a Renishaw TS27R table touch probe for tool offsets and a Renishaw OMP40 spindle probe for work offsets together with an easy to use Haas software interface, is also standard on the UMC-750.

The HaasTEC event also featured a number of the company’s industrial partners, all offering complementary technologies and advice. Among their number was metrology specialist, Renishaw, which described the HaasTEC as a “well organised event that gave us the opportunity to make very good contacts and offer our assistance in solving particular manufacturing challenges”. Representatives from cutting tool companies Sandvik Coromant and Kyocera agreed: “The customer turnout was very good,” said a Sandvik spokesman, while Kyocera declared it was already “looking forward to the next HaasTEC”.

“The HaasTEC show in Ahmedabad was a resounding success with excellent customer attendance and keen interest in the latest Haas products and technology,” says Terrence Miranda, Managing Director, HAAS Factory Outlet Mumbai. “I am so pleased that we welcomed over 2500 visitors to the event, which once again proves that the HaasTEC format is an effective means of reaching and communicating with customers on a regional level.”

The popular HaasTEC shows are back with two events to be held later this year. Managed by the Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) in India (Phillipscorp, CNCSSIPL division), the first HaasTEC will take place from November 19-22 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat and will be followed closely by HaasTEC Manesar from December 10 to 13, in the industrial district of Gurgaon near New Delhi.

In line with previous HaasTEC events, a number of innovative, affordable Haas CNC machine tools will be on view. Two machines will be on show for the first time in India, the UMC-750 five-axis universal machining centre and the ST-35 big bore CNC lathe. All of the Haas CNC machine tools on display will be powered and performing demonstrations, cutting metal, apart from this Haas specialists from the HFO will be available to guide visitors through the demonstrations and answer any questions about the machines.

The UMC-750 five-axis vertical machining centre offers a capacity of 762 x 508 x 508 mm in the X, Y and Z-axis respectively. It features a two-axis inbuilt trunnion rotary table and a 40-taper, 22.4 kW, 12000 rpm direct drive spindle. Other features of this advanced machine include a 40+1 side mount tool changer, 25.4 m/min rapids, co-ordinate rotation and scaling, rigid tapping, a wireless intuitive probing system and a 284 litre flood coolant system.

The Haas ST-35 big bore CNC lathe can accommodate bars up to 102 mm in diameter and offers a capacity of 533 (dia) x 660 mm (length) with 806 mm of swing. The 29.8 kW, 2400 rpm spindle is served by a two-speed gearbox, while additional features include a 381 mm chuck, 12-station bolt-on turret and rigid tapping capability.

Other Haas CNC machine tool models to be showcased at both HaasTEC events include the ST-10Y turning center with Y-axis, the ever popular DT-1 Drill Tap machine with new 30 taper 15,000 rpm spindle, a VF-2 VMC, a VF-2YT VMC with a new inline 15000 rpm 40 taper spindle, and the VF-3YT/50 VMC, which provides extended Y-axis travel and the heavy cutting capacity of a 50-taper machine in a mid-sized footprint.

Demonstrations, tours and a live Q&A counter are some other event highlights. In fact, there are even plans to give away a limited edition Haas wrist watches to those who pre-register before November 5. Pre-registrations go live on October 1 at:www.haascnc.com/openhouse.

The fourth edition of the increasingly popular HaasTEC Open House took place on 16th-19th January to widespread acclaim from the event’s 1,500 attendees. Staged in Navi Mumbai, a rapidly expanding township in western India, visitors came from across the vast state of Maharashtra.

The new HFO facility at Navi Mumbai provided the venue for HaasTEC 2014, where visitors found a wide selection of Haas technology on display, including many innovative yet affordable CNC machines. These included the dual spindle DS-30Y turning centre with Y-axis, and the ever popular DT-1 Drill Tap machine. All the Haas machines on display were under power, underlining the event’s theme ‘Innovative Demos’: Haas machines cutting parts you haven’t seen before.

Terrence Miranda, Managing Director, Haas India, “The enthusiastic response and widespread participation of our customers and global partners in the recently concluded HaasTEC show highlights the usefulness and importance of these events in India. They provide a platform to comprehensively showcase the latest trends in CNC machine tools, tooling, CADCAM, measurement and workholding solutions.”

As with previous HaasTECs, a number of Haas Automation India’s industry partners, some 14 in total, supported the event. Among their number was Renishaw, a leading global specialist in metrology.

“We feel immensely satisfied having participated at the HaasTEC in Navi Mumbai,” says Renishaw’s Shreyansh Hippargi. “All the Haas team put in a lot of effort to ensure that customers and partners were at ease. Congratulations to the entire Haas team and we wish them the best of luck for future HaasTEC events!”

Nitin Wakode at Mastercam was equally complimentary: “Technology is a great tool but the people who support it make a difference…Haas have both. HaasTEC was a great show in all aspects.”