FEATURE ON CNC MILLS & MACHINING CENTRES

The long-term partnership behind Notthoff’s success

California-based aerospace subcontractor Notthoff Engineering has strengthened its high-speed machining capacity with the purchase of a second Starrag Ecospeed horizontal machining centre, building on more than a decade of success with its original Ecospeed F 2060.

Founded in 1941 as a wartime job shop, Notthoff Engineering has evolved into a specialist manufacturer of structural aerospace components for major defence programmes, including the F-35, F-47 and F-16. Operating from a 65,000 ft² facility in Huntington Beach, the company machines predominantly aluminium components, often removing up to 95% of the original billet material.

The company’s first Ecospeed F 2060 was installed in 2013 following an extensive evaluation process. According to COO Arnie Juarez, the machine’s patented Sprint Z3 parallel-kinematic head proved decisive: “Most large horizontal machines have heavy rotating heads that limit speed and productivity. The Z3 head accelerates incredibly quickly, allowing us to machine parts much faster than other machines on the market.”

More than 13 years after installation, the original machine continues to hold tolerances within one-thousandth of an inch without major overhaul. The latest addition, an Ecospeed F 1540, provides complementary capacity for smaller components, enabling the more efficient utilisation of both machines.

Both feature dual-pallet configurations to maximise spindle uptime and support around-the-clock production. The Ecospeed platform also enables the completion of complex machining operations in a single set up, helping Notthoff meet increasingly demanding aerospace specifications.

Juarez also highlights Starrag’s aftersales support as a key factor behind the repeat investment: “They’ve always stood behind their product. When support is needed, they respond quickly and understand that machine uptime is critical to our business.”More information www.starrag.com

Holistic approach to gears on five-axis CNC machining centre

For decades, precision gear production has relied on highly specialised machines and dedicated tooling, limiting flexibility, increasing costs and restricting innovation. Dontyne Gears is challenging that model through a combination of advanced software and an Okuma Genos M460V-5AX machining centre supplied by NCMT.

The company’s objective was to develop software capable of generating machining strategies and NC code directly from gear design data, enabling complex gears to be produced on a standard five-axis machining centre using readily available tooling. The Okuma Genos M460V-5AX provided the platform required to turn that vision into reality.

“The machine gave Dontyne the flexibility and precision needed to validate its software,” says Andrew Skee, sales manager at NCMT. “It demonstrates that aerospace-level accuracy and repeatability can be achieved on a versatile machining platform rather than dedicated gear-cutting equipment.”

According to Dr Michael Fish, director of Dontyne Systems, the machine has transformed the company’s ability to prove and refine its technology: “Having the Okuma machine in-house allowed us to validate our software on real components. We can generate machining code for complex gear forms in seconds and, with integrated Renishaw Sprint measurement technology, verify results directly on the machine. After extensive development work, we are often achieving ISO 4-5 gear quality on the first attempt.”

Dontyne’s Gear Production Suite creates a digital twin of a gear design, automatically generating manufacturing and inspection data. The system has successfully produced a wide range of gear forms, including spiral bevels, hypoids, helicals and internal gears, all on a single five-axis platform.

Supported by research funded through the British Gear Association, the project is demonstrating that complex gears can be produced more quickly, economically and flexibly than traditional methods.

More information www.ncmt.co.uk

Subcontractor reinvests in automated five-axis machining

When Allan Carabine, owner and managing director of Milton Keynes subcontractor MK Precision, visited the MACH exhibition in Birmingham earlier this year, he had a clear objective: to invest in CNC machinery and automation that would further enhance manufacturing efficiency. On the final day of the show, he placed an order for a Hurco VMX42SRTi five-axis machining centre and a PC25 Kawasaki robot cell, the first machine tending cell based on a six-axis industrial robot exhibited by Hurco.

A strong advocate of advanced manufacturing technology, Carabine was also the first UK customer to install a Hurco ProCobot in 2021. His early feedback helped Hurco refine both the design and software of the automation system, contributing to the robust solution available today.

Supplying industries including motorsport, rail, defence, photography and cryogenics, MK Precision continually invests in new equipment to maintain a competitive advantage. The latest automated production cell will enable the company to undertake larger and more complex prismatic machining projects while maximising the benefits of lights-out production.

“All of our machinery has to offer flexibility,” says Carabine. “The VMX42SRTi allows us to manufacture large components in a single set up, while the PC25 robot ensures the next job can start automatically, even if the previous one finishes overnight or at a weekend.”

The VMX42SRTi is scheduled for delivery in July, with automation to be integrated later this year. Having already gained experience of Hurco’s five-axis machining and automation software, MK Precision expects a smooth transition.

Notably, the cell uses Hurco’s Job Manager software, which requires operators to simply select a work-holding location and program. With no specialist robot programming knowledge needed, training can be completed in as little as one day.

More information www.hurco.co.uk

Ficep helps Warrington Fabrications more than double output

Ficep UK has supplied a Valiant CNC drilling line and Tipo D50 to Warrington Fabrications, helping the Cheshire-based steel specialist modernise production and more than double output.

Established over 40 years ago, Warrington Fabrications employs more than 50 people and delivers secondary steelwork and bespoke metalwork for projects ranging from hospitals to large-scale construction. With customers spanning single-beam requirements to major contracts, the company produces everything from staircases to full structural frameworks.

Having worked with Ficep UK for over two decades, Warrington previously relied on older cutting, drilling and punching equipment that had become a constraint on productivity. Seeking to increase throughput, the company turned again to Ficep to identify a future-ready solution.

Rather than a like-for-like replacement, Ficep worked closely with the team to recommend the most suitable systems. Production manager Chris Millington also visited Ficep’s facility in Italy to see the machines in operation, ensuring confidence in the investment.

The Valiant CNC line delivers automated drilling, marking and sawing of structural sections, while the Tipo D50 processes smaller profiles, handling cutting, drilling and scribing tasks. Integrated software improves marking accuracy and reduces manual intervention across the shop floor.

“Our old machines had served us well, but we needed to modernise,” says Millington. “The new systems are faster, require less maintenance and have already transformed our output.”

Installation and training were completed smoothly, enabling rapid adoption. A Ficep tool-vending system has also streamlined consumable management.

With enhanced efficiency and capacity, Warrington Fabrications is well positioned for continued growth, supported by its long-standing partnership with Ficep UK.

More information https://ficepgroup.com/ficep-uk/

Subcontractor invests in first five-axis machining centre

When Andy Battensby and Dale Robson launched North Axis Engineering in Cramlington, Northumberland, their goal was to fill a regional gap for high-precision, quick-turnaround subcontract machining. Targeting the subsea, aerospace and automotive sectors, the company’s rapid growth reflects both ambition and carefully planned investment.

From the outset, the directors prioritised reliable, accurate CNC technology. Drawing on previous experience with Hurco, they equipped the new business in early 2025 with a pre-owned VM10i three-axis machining centre and TM8i CNC lathe. The VM10i delivers high metal removal rates within a compact footprint, while the TM8i provides robust turning capability. Both machines feature Hurco’s Max5 control, enabling fast programming, reduced set-up times and rapid progression to first-off parts.

Rising demand soon prompted expansion. By March 2025, North Axis had added a new VM30i machining centre, complete with an H200 rotary table. Offering larger travels and integrated fourth-axis capability, the machine allows more complex work and efficient second operations. Hurco’s conversational programming ensures this added capability remains easy to use.

Beyond machining, the company offers CADCAM programming, MIG and TIG welding, and fabrication services, all of which strengthen its position as a flexible manufacturing partner.

Its most significant step, however, came with the purchase of a five-axis VM10Ui, confirmed at Hurco’s year-end open house. For a business less than a year old, the move underlines strong confidence and forward planning. As Robson explains: “We already have work requiring simultaneous five-axis machining, and our familiarity with Hurco means we can get up to speed quickly.”

With continued investment and a growing project pipeline, North Axis Engineering is firmly positioned for sustained expansion.

More information www.hurco.co.uk