FEATURE ON CNC MILLS & MACHINING CENTRES

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

Machining centres set to disrupt the market

Two new machining centres areset to shake up the market and provide component manufacturers with high cutting performance, flexibility and value.MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group, is introducing two production-led vertical machining centres:
the MACH MDV 800 and MACH MDV 1100. Both machines feature the flexible and easy-to-use DynaPath WinDelta CNC control system, and are available at competitive prices.

Says Dave Andrew, Vigilance Group’s managing director:“Our new MDV machining centres are powerful, precise, fast and reliable.They have a rigid design and build, deliver best-in-class cutting performance and their price point will give other manufacturers’ equivalent-type machines a real run for their money.”

MACH MDV machines house BT40 air-cooled, high-torque spindles as standard (11-15kW, 8000rpm), but can be ordered and supplied with direct-drive 12,000rpm spindles replete with spindle chiller and through-spindlecoolant capabilities that extend their application potential.Other standard features include: Hiwin linear roller guides, 24-position swing arm ATCs and generous-sized worktables (1000 x 500mm with 500kg maximum load on the MDV 800, and 1200x 600mm with 800kg maximum load on the MDV 1100).

The machines are fast with 36m/min rapid rates on all axes and, to ensure process reliability, are fully enclosed with armoured telescoped covers.High precision comes courtesy of C3-class PMI precision ball screws and laser interferometer dynamic lead-screw compensation that enables 6 µm positional and 3µm repeatable accuracies across the work envelope.

As with all MACH machine tools, both MDV models are equipped, as standard, with a range of technology features that include auto-lubrication, flood coolant and wash-down systems.
Among the optional extras available are tool and workpiece probe systems, 4th-axis system configuration, and swarf augurs and conveyors.

“We’re confident that our new MDV machines will shake-up the market and prove that you needn’t ‘break the bank’ to acquire a new high-productivity, high-precision machining centre.”
For further information www.machmt.com