FEATURE ON CNC MILLS & MACHINING CENTRES

700% growth in three years in partnership with XYZ

James White joined NSK Precision Engineering in 2015 and took the company over in 2019, making a new CNC machining centre his top priority. His research led him to invest in anXYZ 750 LR with 750 x 440 x 500mm travel, Siemens 828D control (with optional ShopMill), and linear rail technology for fast acceleration and deceleration rates.

“XYZ Machine Tools listened to where we wanted to take the business, asking the right questions, showing that they understood how our company works,” he says.“They also came up with an attractive solution to get our CNC machining capacity started. We already had a 1994 XYZ turret mill with ProtoTRAK control, which is used daily, so this gave us extra confidence in our decision.”

Taking over NSK Precision Engineering, which has been in operation since 1995, was a steep learning curve, figuring out how to manage both the workforce and the day-to-day administration of the company. Additionally, White relocated the company from its previous 1500 sq ft factory to a new 10,000 sq ft site near Reading, while growing turnover by 700% and increasing his workforce from two to seven.

“Previously, we were subcontracting a lot of work to local companies,” he explains.“Investing in CNC has enabled us to take this work back in-house, which gives us more control over quality and delivery while at the same time improving our profit margins. At the old factory, we were limited for space, restricting which XYZ machine we could choose. With the new factory and the increase in workload we’ve been able to make a further investment in a XYZ 1000 LR with 4th-axis rotary table, Siemens 828D control with the ShopMill option, expanded 24-station tool carousel and a swarf conveyor.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

VMC makes low-cost jobs financially viable

Many prismatic machining contracts ideally take place on a five-axis machining centre, which enables components to be produced cost effectively. A problem arises, however, if the parts do not command a high selling price.

Subcontractor G&J (CNC) Services in Paddock Wood has apparently found a solution: the Leadwell V-30iT 3+2-axis BT40 machining centre from WH-Lead, which says the entry-level price of less than six figures belies the five-axis machine’s extensive capabilities. According to G&J (CNC) Services, the hourly rate that the subcontractor charges based on the investment allows the efficient production of less complex prismatic components at prices which compare favourably with those quoted by competitors in low-wage countries.

The company’s owner Charlie Naismith says: “Depending on the value of the parts being machined, which is normally down to their complexity and the material used, you have to make sure the figures add up. Much of our throughput is fairly simple 3+2-axis work in mild steel and aluminium that customers will not pay a premium for, so the Leadwell machine is perfect.

Continues Naismith: “We actually use it in three-axis mode for much of the time, but the five-axis functionality is there for when we need it, saving costs associated with workholding, handling and work-in-progress. At the same time, it helps with accuracy by being able to access parts with shorter tools and by cutting down on manual re-fixturing.”

He also appreciates the ergonomics of the V-30iT, pointing out that the rotary table when flat is at the same level as the fixed table, so there are no clearance issues. Control is provided by a Fanuc 0i-MF Plus, although Siemens, Fagor and Heidenhain are optional, as is the specification of 4+1 or full five-axis interpolation.
For further information www.wh-lead.co.uk

Subcontractor opts for second DNM 4500 VMC

Mills CNC has supplied subcontract specialist EDM Precision Technologies with a new vertical machining centre.The machine, a compact DN Solutions three-axis DNM 4500 equipped with Siemens 828D control, now sits adjacent to the company’s first DNM 4500 machining centre, acquired in 2018, to create a flexible, high-productivity milling cell.

EDM Precision’s new DNM machine has the exact technical specification as the first, featuring: a 12,000 rpm BT40 spindle with though-spindle-coolant capability; 30-position ATC; and 1000 x 450mm worktable with 600kg load.The latest DNM 4500 also features a Renishaw tool and workpiece probing systems for fast and efficient set-ups.

Says owner and managing director Paul Waldron:“Our first DNM 4500 proved to be a great investment and a huge success. The machine is fast, accurate and reliable, so when we were looking to upgrade our in-house milling capabilities still further, we decided to go ‘like for like’ and order a second DNM 4500.”

The company’s customers are diverse and operate in the motorsport, aerospace, medical, automotive, defence, and scientific equipment and instrumentation sectors. They also include a significant number of universities and research institutions. All have high demands. For instance, part accuracies of ±5 µm and surface finishes down to Ra 0.8µm are tight and non-negotiable.Turnaround times are equally demanding.

EDM Precision’s new DNM 4500 is clearly important and integral to the company’s ability to meet its customer’s promises.

Concludes Waldron:“Our new DNM 4500 is a great performer and, since being installed, hasn’t missed a beat.The machine was delivered and installed quickly and with minimum disruption and, as intended, has fast become a valuable asset that will facilitate significant growth in the future.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Dugard delivers for Dicker Precision Components

Hailsham-based Dicker Precision Components has taken delivery of another machining centre from Dugard Machine Tools. As a subcontract manufacturer serving a diverse range of industries from medical and aerospace to offshore, subsea and defence, Dicker Precision needed a high-quality machine from a supplier with a track record of delivering in short lead times. Dugard was the first name on the company’s radar.

Dicker Precision’s new Dugard 1100 vertical machining centre complements its existing range of Dugard machines, which includes a Dugard 1000Y Plus and a heavyweight Dugard 1886B HD with 4th axis and BT50 spindle taper.

“I went to Dugard and the 1100 VMC was in the showroom with the guarding off, so I could see the build quality of the machine,” says Dicker Precision’s managing director Mark Love.“The price point of the machine is particularly good, especially considering the extras we have. We bought the machine and it was running within two weeks.”

Taking a look at the extra features, Love adds: “We’ve taken the machine with a Nikken 4th-axis unit.We also have Renishaw probing, which saves a huge amount of time; we don’t need to get the clock out.”

The machine also has through-coolant, referring to which, he says: “We use the through-coolant facility quite a lot and with carbide drilling. The machine also has an extremely useful air blast, as we do a lot of dry cutting on stainless steel. In fact, the machine is currently cutting stainless all day long, and will be for the foreseeable future.Overall, this machine has been a cracking deal.It literally hasn’t stopped working since it arrived and has significantly increased our capacity.”
For further information www.dugard.com

Soraluce Performance Line: reliable and precise

Soraluce presents the New Performance Line, a totally new range of machine tools that the company says is built on a platform of reliability, precision and flexibility for medium-large workpieces.The Performance Line comprisesthree families of machines with three different architectures, all based on a common modular structure. Each family has a number of models and configurations, producing machines that are configurable for a number of work environments. Availability of the TA, FA and SA families in the UK is via sole agent, TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC).

The new Soraluce TA bed mill offers greater capacities than a machining centre in terms of work volume, power output, torque, chip removal and ergonomics, reports the company. There are different versions with square or round tables that can also undertake multi-tasking operations. The machine has standard peripheral guarding with easy front and back access to the work area.

Soraluce’s new floor-typeborer is configurable with floor plate, rotary table or rotary-travelling table; with one or more multi-tasking tables (milling and turning); with a portable rotary table which Soraluce can position vertically with a tailstock or horizontally; with the option of duplex machines – machining using two spindles simultaneously; or with a floor plate at user height for better ergonomics.

The new Soraluce SA fixed-table travelling-column mill has a novel machine architecture whereby the moving column and table share the same base. The work area is fully guarded, with complete front access to the workpieceat user height and the CNC on a sliding guide in front of the machine. Different work area versions include: a fixed table, rotary milling or milling/turning table of 1000 mm diameter on one side of the table, or two milling or milling/turning tables at either end of the machine.
For further information www.bit.ly/3XoF73K