Machining lead-times cut for hydraulic bodies

Following the recent acquisition of a Miyano BNE-51MSY multi-axis turn-mill centre from Citizen Machinery, Wednesbury-based precision subcontractor Machine Tech Engineering (MTE) has been able to slash production lead-times on batches of hydraulic bodies from three weeks for the first operation, plus a week for the second operation, to machining the entire batch complete in just five days. Batch sizes on the Miyano, although early days, are between 100 and 300.

The eight-axis Miyano BNE-51MSY with Iemca Kid 80 barfeed has created an advantage in lead-time reduction for MTE due to the ability to overlap in a cycle and cut with up to three tools simultaneously. Featured on the machine are two 12-station driven turrets, one with three axes, and the other with two axes that can service either or both spindles at the same time.
In producing a hydraulic body from 38 mm bar, a 22 mm spade drill is used to a depth of 57 mm, then, using a special flat-bottom tool a face and corner relief is created at the bottom of the bore prior to final boring to within 0.03 mm. A further bore is then drilled and reamed to 11.9 mm diameter (0.03 mm tolerance) by 76 mm deep, and the initial bore threaded 1” x 20 TPI Whitworth by 8 mm deep. After, the OD is turned and threaded 11/2” x 16 TPI Whitworth over a length of 100 mm.
The part is then taken by the three-axis secondary spindle, faced, and a 30 mm A/F hexagon is milled by 20 mm long before a 6 mm straight-knurled shoulder is created. Following this operation, a through-bore is drilled to break into the 11.9 mm bore, which is finally tapped 7/16” x 20 TPI UNF by 26 mm deep.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

More jobs

Loughborough-based manufacturer JC Metalworks has welcomed four new employees to its team. Nicola Taylor has joined as HR manager, Ben Ludlow as project manager, Matt Haywood as team leader in the Fabrication Department and Krzystof Makowczynski as a full-time welder.

“Over and above these four latest recruits we have also promoted both Martin Foister and Vijay Lakhnsi to technical support roles,” says managing director Nick Oakland. “We are also looking for three more recruits and full details are on our website.”
For further information www.jcmetalworks.co.uk

Best practice

There will be over 12 machining demonstrations taking place at the ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ best-practice manufacturing event taking place at Seco Tools’ UK facility in Alcester on 10-11 October. One special demonstration will be a collaborative venture between Seco and its technical partners – Autodesk, Romi Machine Tools and Roemheld – highlighting the productivity and performance benefits of additive/subtractive machining using a three-axis Romi Hybrid machining centre (with laser deposition additive manufacturing capability).

The demonstration will also feature workholding from Roemheld, Seco cutting tools and PowerMill machining software from Autodesk to repair a forging die used to manufacture golf club heads.
For further information www.secotools.com/iti

Unison appoints new head of sales

Unison, a UK manufacturer of CNC all-electric tube-bending systems, has appointed a new head of sales and support to meet the company’s continued global growth, including the opening of a new production and support facility in the USA (around 65% of Unison’s machines are exported to the US).

Stuart Calvert, who has more than 15 years’ experience working in sales and export roles with global industrial manufacturers, joins the company in this new post, which sees a dedicated customer service department created to drive further expansion and support global customers.
For further information www.unisonltd.com

Energy-saving guide for mould shops

ExxonMobil has launched its free ‘Energy Saving Guide for Injection Moulding Companies’, in partnership with research consultancy, Applied Market Information. Developed by industry expert Dr Robin Kent, the handbook contains practical guidance and insights to help plastics processors cut their energy consumption.

The guide offers best-practice guidance on almost every aspect of an injection-moulding plant, from how to create an ‘energy fingerprint’ to using high-performance hydraulic oils. The guide also details the different types of likely savings that are available.
For further information
www.corporate.exxonmobil.com