Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has supplied Birmingham-based Burcas Ltd, a privately-owned specialist engineering subcontractor, with a new large-capacity vertical machining centre. The machine, a Doosan Mynx 9500/50 with a Doosan-Fanuc control, was installed at the company’s 32,000 sq ft facility in October 2021 and is being used primarily to machine specialist tooling, prototypes and a range of precision components for the nuclear sector.

When not being deployed to machine parts for the nuclear industry the Mynx 9500/50 also machines high-precision tungsten carbide and HSS sheeter and slitter knives/blades for Burcas’ paper and packaging customers, located both nationally and overseas.

Says Mike Burrows, Burcas’ owner and managing director: “Although the new machine purchase was driven almost entirely by an increase in demand from customers in the nuclear sector, we never lost sight that it would also become a major machining asset for our future aerospace and oil and gas business – when both return to something resembling normality.”
Having canvassed the market and discussed its requirements with a ‘hit list’ of potential machine-tool suppliers, Burcas ultimately decided to invest in the Mynx 9500/50.

“The Mynx 9500/50 is our first Doosan machine and, since its installation, it hasn’t missed a beat,” says Burrows. “It is versatile and reliable, and its cutting performance is impressive.

“In addition to the machine we’ve also been impressed with Mills CNC. From the outset they adopted a proactive role and, even a tricky installation that necessitated the craning in of the machine through the roof, was professionally managed and executed.”

He concludes: “The new Mynx 9500/50 investment is another example of Burcas’ commitment to continuous improvement and of us striving to be the best we can.”

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

The MTA’s first ever virtual AGM held earlier this month saw the association name its new president: Andy Hodgson, strategic lead – digitalisation at Siemens. Hodgson has played an active role in the MTA for many years as a board member and served as the technical committee chairman for the past two years, stepping down to take on this new role. He will serve a two-year term as president.

Hodgson, who has a wealth of experience in the manufacturing technologies sector, as well as first-hand experience of industry digitalisation, says: “It’s a great honour to be appointed as president of the MTA and I hope that I can build upon the successes we have shared and bring the projects we have started to fruition. I look forward to steering the association, supported by the board, through the troubled waters that still lie ahead with a pandemic still upon us and Brexit just around the corner.”

For further information
www.mta.org.uk

Midlands-based metal-cutting machinery supplier, Addison Saws Ltd, has appointed Chris Wilson as its new managing director. Wilson was previously the company’s UK sales director and will be taking over from previous managing director Gary Knight. Knight drove the company forward in his role for 16 years and is now handing over the reins to his second-in-command for good, after Wilson demonstrated his abilities in a short but successful period as acting managing director during the COVID-19 crisis.

The shift comes at a crucial time for all manufacturing businesses and, having spent 15 years at Addison occupying various roles, Wilson is fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to continue pushing the company forward. He has more than proved his capabilities in leading the business over the years by building solid relationships with both customers and suppliers.

For further information www.addisonsaws.co.uk

Founded only five years ago, Grayline Engineering is a machine shop located in Woodbridge that typically reflects the general subcontract sector, manufacturing ‘anything and everything’, according to managing director Graham Chattenton. Central to the company’s growth is a strategy to invest in machine tools from Dugard.

“I used Dugard machines when I worked at other companies and they’ve always been helpful,” he says. “If there has ever been a service issue or problem with the machines, Dugard has stepped up to the mark and I’ve always been really happy with the results.”

When Grayline was set up five years ago it invested in two Dugard 32 sliding-head machines. To complement these machines, which have now been superseded in the Dugard range by the Hanwha series of sliding-head lathes, Grayline recently invested in a Dugard SMEC SL2000ASY sub-spindle turning centre with Y-axis machining capabilities.

With a swing over bed of 650 mm, a maximum machining diameter of 395 mm and a maximum machining length of 450 mm, this 8” chuck machine has been supplied with a Hydrafeed 65 bar feeding unit.

Offering a larger capacity than the sliding-head machines, the SMEC SL2000ASY has an 11/18.5 kW spindle motor with a maximum spindle speed of 4500 rpm, and a 5.5/7.5 kW motor on the sub-spindle. In addition, a driven tooling unit achieves a spindle speed of 5000 rpm from the 3.7/5.5 kW continuous live tooling motor.

Speaking about the purchase of the SMEC SL2000ASY slant-bed machine, Chattenton concludes: “The staff at Dugard are always quick to make sure that we’re getting everything we need to do the job. We pick up the phone and get all the answers we need.”

For further information
www.dugard.com

SteelFab, a leading exhibition for the metalworking, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industries, will now take place in June 2021 rather than its scheduled January date. The show will open its doors on 7-10 June at the Expo Centre Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The decision is described by the organiser as difficult yet responsible, and in the best interests of all participants. Moving the event to June will also provide sufficient time for the industry to adapt, restore balance and regain confidence in exhibiting, visiting and travelling.

As the Middle East’s major showcase for machinery, technology and equipment, SteelFab will provide a platform for around 300 exhibitors across 26,000 sq m of floor space. Some 6500 trade visitors are likely to attend from approximately 70 countries. Special focus areas at the 17th edition of the show will include welding and cutting, machine tools, pipe and tube machinery, and wear-resistance/hard-facing solutions.

For further information www.steelfabme.com