XYZ Machine Tools, in partnership with Ceratizit UK & Ireland, has opened the doors to its latest demonstration and training centre. Located on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the centre will support customers looking for the latest in machine tool technology from XYZ Machine Tools. The facility is equipped with a broad range of XYZ machines, from ProtoTRAK controlled lathes and mills, through its heavy-duty and linear rail machining and turning centres, to the flagship UMC-5X five-axis machining centre.
Working with Ceratizit, XYZ customers can visit the centre to investigate not only the machines, but develop machining strategies and improve manufacturing efficiencies. The facility will also serve as a training hub for customers in the region who have purchased new machine tools, where they can take advantage of the classroom facilities alongside hands-on practical use of the machines.
On the opening day, visitors from across the manufacturing sector descended on the centre to witness live demonstrations.

For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has recently supplied precision subcontract specialist Colt Precision with a new large-capacity vertical machining centre. The machine, a Doosan DNM 6700 with the latest Fanuc 0iMP control, was delivered and installed at the company’s 7000 sq ft facility in Tewkesbury in May 2021, and was supplied with a Nikken 5AX 201FA (4th/5th-axis) rotary tilting table.

Since being installed, the DNM 6700 has been busy machining a range of high-precision, complex parts for the medical, defence, aerospace and general engineering sectors, from materials such as stainless steel, steel, aluminium, titanium and plastic.

The Doosan DNM 6700 is a large-capacity vertical machine with 1300 x 670 x 625 mm travels and a 1500 x 670 mm work table. As well as a Nikken 4th/5th-axis unit, the machine was supplied with a Renishaw OMP60 and OTS tool and workpiece probe package for quick and trouble-free in-process inspection and measurements. An MH500 swarf conveyor for high-efficiency chip evacuation also features.

Explains owner and co-director, Simon Tarrant: “The DNM 6700 is a large, powerful machine. It is also extremely rigid, accurate and reliable. All of these attributes make it ideal for machining a range of parts from an equally diverse portfolio of materials.”
In addition to its high specification, other issues impacting Colt Precision’s decision-making process included the machine’s availability, and the aftersales service and support provided by the machine tool supplier.

“Mills CNC has a good reputation in the market for its aftersales service and support,” says Tarrant. “When we placed the machine order it was delivered in double-quick time and, since its installation, hasn’t missed a beat.”

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

Located near the major automotive OEMs in Warwickshire, 2G Tooling Ltd has rapidly built a prestigious reputation for manufacturing everything from fly press tooling through to large drawn tools. To expand the scope of its tool-making capabilities, the Southam-based subcontractor has recently purchased a large-bed five-axis Ibarmia machining centre from Dugard. The Ibarmia ZVH45 L3000 Star has a 3 m bed, a travelling column, a ±105° B axis, a rotary table and capacity for up to 6-tonne workpieces on the bed.

Managing director Chris Peters says: “The main reason we bought this machine was to give us extra flexibility, extra capacity and more size. It is a much bigger machine than we had previously, which we part-exchanged for the Ibarmia. What sold this machine to us was a Zoom meeting with the Ibarmia factory in Spain. The difference between Ibarmia and what I have seen before from most mass-produced machine manufacturers is a bespoke set-up and a family-run ethos. You could actually see production with more time and care being spent on each machine.”

When asked why the company specified the Ibarmia ZVH45 L3000 Star model, Peters says: “This machine will not only give us extra capacity but much greater flexibility. Having the rotary table and the B axis will allow us to machine components that were very difficult previously.

“The flexibility and reach of the machine will enable us to reduce the overhang of tools from 100-150 mm to 30 to 50 mm,” he continues. “This will improve the stability of our tooling, the surface finishes and, subsequently, improve tool life.”

For further information
www.dugard.com