ALM installs large-capacity 30-taper machining centre

Contract machining firm ALM Engineering Solutions has expanded capacity and advanced its automation strategy following investment in a Japanese-built Brother Speedio W1000Xd2 machining centre. Supplied by Whitehouse Machine Tools, the three-axis machine was installed at the company’s Newton Aycliffe facility at the end of 2025 to enhance flexibility, productivity and lights-out manufacturing.

Established 31 years ago, ALM supplies machined components and assemblies to OEMs across sectors that include medical air filtration, gas generation and entertainment infrastructure. This progressive manufacturing company also produces in-house robotic tooling and assembly-line equipment, as well as architectural hardware.

The investment was driven by capacity constraints, as managing director Tony Thompson explains: “One of the main attractions of the Speedio was the larger bed, overcoming the limitations of our previous 700 mm X-axis machines.”

The 1 m table on the W1000Xd2 has enabled ALM to machine larger parts and increase throughput, while the compact footprint suits the company’s 14,000 sq ft facility.

A key differentiator is ALM’s use of in-house developed collaborative robots, branded ‘Cobots Online’. The Speedio is paired with a mobile cobot, part of a fleet of seven deployed across the shop floor. Designed for rapid set up and relocation, the systems support flexible, unattended operation.

“It’s massive really, giving us 24/7 flexibility,” says Thompson. “We can run machines unattended without weekend overtime.”

The approach has helped boost overall production capacity by nearly 50% over two years without increasing headcount. In addition, the machine’s high-speed performance and ease of use also enabled rapid operator adoption.

Looking ahead, ALM Engineering Solutions is now planning further key investments.

More information www.wmtcnc.com

XYZ 65 LTY-S SUB-SPINDLE TURNING CENTRE PURCHASE SUPPORTSALIGNMENT AT JCF ENGINEERING

Since 2008, when JCF Engineering was founded as a subcontract machining business by John
Felton, the company has invested in XYZ machines of various types to allow for the
manufacture of a wide range of components. Such has been the success of the business that
it now has two sites, one located in Scunthorpe and a second facility in Norfolk. It’s at the
Scunthorpe location that the latest acquisitions of a XYZ 750 LR vertical machining centre
and a 65 LTY-S sub-spindle turning centre are located. The machines were installed to
handle growing demand on the company to manufacture sub-sea parts, among other
products.
When Felton saw that XYZ had launched a sub-spindle lathe, it had him thinking about how
he could reduce set-up and handling times on parts that were getting ever more
complicated, especially as there are only two members of staff on site.
“We were spending a lot of time here at JCF doing set ups for second or third operations
when taking parts from single-spindle lathes to our machining centres fitted with a fourth
axis. We saw the opportunity that by investing in the XYZ 65 LTY-S we could reduce this non-
productive time, create extra capacity on our existing machines and produce additional
work.”
The XYZ 65 LTY-S allows companies to process parts off the machine complete. Supplied
with a 65 mm main spindle bar capacity and providing a maximum turned diameter of 380
mm and mated to the 12-station BMT65 driven tool turret, the LTY-S offers the opportunity
to turn, mill and drill complex parts employing the X, Y, and Z axes. The simple transfer cycle
provided by the Shopturn software makes second end work a breeze once the work sits in
the sub spindle, with all the functionality offered on the main spindle. Transition to the sub
spindle ensures greater productivity with enhanced accuracy. It also provides the
opportunity for lights-out operations. 
The 65 LTY-S purchase has certainly achieved JCF’s ambitions. It has allowed this progressive
manufacturing business to produce parts with ever-increasing complexity. It also allows
increases in capacity.
“Since the investment in the 65 LTY-S, our turnover has grown substantially,” states Felton.
“It was only after we had got into the swing of using the machine that we fully appreciated
the gains that were being provided”.

He continues: “There are a number of areas where this machine excels for the work we do.
Firstly, the machining features are all aligned between first operation in the 65 mm bar
capacity spindle and the 45 mm capacity sub spindle, with the sub-spindle coming across
and clamping on the part before parting off. This capability ensures the machine never loses
where the part is during the manufacturing process.”
It’s all aided by the easy-to-use Siemens 828D control, fitted with Shopturn software.
“We have yet to find a job we cannot program through the Shopturn software, and this
reduces any need for CAM in the office. In fact, programming transfer of the part from main
to sub spindle was covered by XYZ in a matter of minutes. Secondly the BMT65 turret has
real benefits for us. The holding of a number of static or driven tools in each station has
proven to be a massive advantage.”
With the Y axis having 100 mm of travel (50 mm above and below centre height), the
flexibility to move tools off centre for not only milling, drilling and tapping, but also turning-
style tools, has opened up capability and reduced set-ups as most of the time the tools
require by JCF are already in the turret and set.
“Finally, the machines motorised spindles offer masses of power [22 kW main spindle and
15 kW sub-spindle] for the main material we machine, which is 316 stainless steel. However,
having driven tools running up to 5000 rpm is helpful when machining high-performance
thermoplastics such as PEEK.”
Since the formation of the business, JCF has continued to purchase XYZ machines in many
different formats. Felton states: “XYZ’s products have provided us with the perfect
machining platform for the work we produce, and the LTY-S has been no exception. The
support has been excellent and, if the service team visit, they know the products well and
provide a fast and efficient service. This, mated with the controls that XYZ fit, namely
ProtoTRAK and Siemens using conversational software, ensures the machines are a perfect
match for our business.”
With its latest CNC machining technology, designs and requirements can be transformed
into a reality at a competitive price. JCF says existing customers return to time and time
again because of ISO9001-registered company’s proven helpful, flexible and high-quality
service. Whatever the product or market, JCF always applies its skills and experience to
provide customers with the machining service they need. Now embellished with the XYZ 65
LTY-S sub-spindle turning centre, the company is rightly proud of the high standard of
machining solutions it produces.
Ultimately, JCF Engineering offers a friendly, professional and competitive turning and
milling service, and is pleased to talk to existing or prospective new customers about their
machining needs, irrespective of batch size.

More information www.xyzmachinetools.com

AJ MANUFACTURING ACCELERATES GROWTH WITH LASER-FOCUSEDINVESTMENT IN ACCURL MACHINES

York-based fabrication specialist AJ Manufacturing has strengthened its production
capabilities and sharpened its competitive edge following a strategic investment in
advanced sheet metal processing technology supplied by Axe & Status. This progressive and
ambitious company has installed an Accurl Smart Cube 3015 6 kW CNC fibre laser cutter and
an Accurl 175-ton CNC press brake, a move that is already delivering significant gains in
speed, accuracy and flexibility.
The investment marks an important milestone for AJ Manufacturing as it approaches its fifth
anniversary. Founded by Adam Jennings and Jake Connell-Southcoat, the business has built
a strong client list in sectors that include agriculture, construction, retail and food, to list but
a few. Services span CNC fabrication, machining, welding, installation work and
maintenance engineering, a comprehensive offer that has helped the company establish
long-term relationships with customers seeking a full lifecycle approach.
For managing director Adam Jennings, the decision to invest in fibre laser cutting technology
was driven by a clear ambition to enhance both efficiency and capability.
“We previously operated a plasma cutter and outsourced laser cutting to a local company,”
he explains. “However, it meant longer lead times and additional cost. Bringing this
capability in-house was the logical next step.”
AJ Manufacturing’s workload is highly varied, with the team producing everything from
agricultural components to architectural steelwork and domestic projects such as staircases,
gates and balustrades. Says Jennings: “Most of our work is one-offs or small batches, so the
machines we acquire have to be flexible and efficient.”
The search for the right laser cutter was extensive, with the company evaluating several
machines before making its final choice.
“We looked at four or five different laser cutters,” recalls Jennings. “It was a big investment
for a company of our size, so making the correct decision was imperative. Our thorough
decision process took over a year from start to finish.”

AJ Manufacturing first saw Accurl machines at the MACH 2024 exhibition, on the stand of
Axe & Status. After the show, the team conducted further research and visited existing
Accurl users.
“It was great to see the laser cutters processing real-world parts and speak to the owners
about factors like performance and reliability,” he explains. “It really helped us make the
right call.”
Several practical considerations further influenced the final choice. The fully retractable
cutting table on the Accurl Smart Cube proved particularly advantageous when handling
heavier plate materials, while the machine’s compact footprint suited the company’s
available floor space.
The Accurl Smart Cube 3015 6 kW fibre laser was installed towards the end of 2025, with
installation and commissioning completed quickly.
“The machine was up and running in two days,” reveals Jennings. “Axe & Status came back a
week later to deliver the training. It was our first laser cutter, so it was quite daunting, but
the training was excellent and we picked it up quickly.”
The impact of the new laser cutter has been immediate, largely thanks to the outstanding
dynamics of the Cube Compact series, which is designed with a low-set gantry, digital AC
servomotors and precise planetary gearboxes. In addition, the Accurl Hypcut TwinCAT CNC
provides unprecedented control of the cutting process.
“Investing in the Accurl laser was the best decision we ever made,” states Jennings. “It’s
around 50% faster than the plasma cutter we were using previously, and the quality of cut is
far superior.”
Enhanced edge quality has removed a significant amount of secondary finishing work.
“With our plasma cutter, we had to clean the edge post-profiling,” he says. “That’s no longer
necessary with the fibre laser. We’re also able to cut extremely accurate hole sizes, which
means there’s no need for secondary drilling operations to achieve the tolerance required.”
AJ Manufacturing currently uses its Accurl fibre laser cutter to process various grades of
steel, including stainless, sometimes up to 25 mm thick. The company also cuts aluminium
when demand dictates.
One feature proving particularly useful is the laser’s etching capability.
“We can write part numbers or identification marks directly on the sheet without changing
the head or adjusting anything else on the machine,” explains Jennings. “It’s a really handy
feature that helps with traceability and organisation.”

Alongside the laser cutter, AJ Manufacturing upgraded its forming capability with the
acquisition of an Accurl 175-ton CNC press brake.
The company’s previous torsion-bar press brake supported the bending of basic brackets
and simple parts, but the new CNC machine has significantly expanded capabilities. A
notable increase in throughout has arrived courtesy of the high-dynamic Y-axis control,
supporting over 30% higher productivity.
“The Accurl is a far superior machine,” states Jennings. “It produces much more accurate
angles across entire plate length. The machine is also easier to use, while the ability to see
bending simulations on-screen makes an enormous difference, because it informs us of any
potential collisions so we can adjust the program accordingly.”
The Delem DA60 series modular graphical control on the Accurl press brake features a 17″
high-resolution colour TFT touchscreen with 3D visualisation in simulation and production.
The machine is currently bending materials up to 12 mm thick, with AJ Manufacturing
already introducing additional tooling to extend its capabilities further.
The combined investment in laser cutting and CNC bending technology has strengthened AJ
Manufacturing’s ability to compete for more contracts.
Says Adam: “We’re already seeing more enquiries. Thanks to the new machines, we can
process parts faster and with greater accuracy, which is attracting interest in longer
production runs.”
Growth is firmly on the agenda. AJ Manufacturing has recently secured planning approval
for a workshop extension that will increase floor space by around a third.
“We’re hoping to start building before the end of 2026,” he explains. “Once complete, we’ll
probably relocate the laser and press brake into the new space and continue expanding
from there.”
Throughout the project, Jennings says the support provided by Axe & Status has been key:
“They’ve been brilliant. If we have any questions they respond straight away. That level of
support makes a significant difference to a small business investing in new machines.”
With advanced manufacturing capability now at its disposal, AJ Manufacturing is well placed
to build on early success and continue its growth trajectory.
“The new machines give us the capability and confidence to take on more complex work
and larger batches,” he concludes. “Investing in Accurl machines has opened the door to
new opportunities and we’re excited about what comes next.”
More information www.axestatus.com

Renishaw expansion

Renishaw has completed a major expansion and refurbishment at its German customer service centre in Stuttgart, creating a modern hub designed to support its European customers. The development forms part of a multi-million euro investment in the Renishaw GmbH facility, enhancing service capability, improving lead times and strengthening warehousing and logistics operations. It also marks a key milestone ahead of Renishaw GmbH’s 40th anniversary in 2026, reinforcing Renishaw’s long-term commitment to customers in Germany and across Europe.

More information www.renishaw.com

ISCAR to adopt MDES

ModuleWorks reports that ISCAR, a major manufacturer of cutting tools, is adopting the Manufacturing Data Exchange Specification (MDES). Through this adoption, ISCAR plans to make its tooling data available in the open MDES format, enabling CAM software and CNC systems to integrate ISCAR tools and assemblies more efficiently. Meir Noybauer, Business Development Officer at ISCAR says: “Supplying our tooling information in the MDES format makes it easier for CAM systems to provide that data to their users, helping manufacturers reduce programming time and machine complex parts with greater confidence.”

More information www.moduleworks.com