Whitchurch-based toolmaker and plastic injection moulding specialist BM Injection has over the years steadily replaced the time-consuming electro-discharge machining of moulds and dies with the direct milling of tool steels in their hardened state (up to 58 HRc).

In 2019, the company invested in a second five-axis VMC, a Japanese-built Makino D200Z supplied by UK agent NCMT, for rough and finish-milling of tool steels to single-figure micron accuracy. Machining is now carried out in one hit, including complete milling of the gate, whereas at least two operations were needed previously, or else three if a route involving milling plus electrode production and EDM was chosen. Consequently, fewer skilled operators are now needed, cutting production costs and alleviating the problem of recruiting experienced staff.
Machining in one clamping by automatically repositioning the workpiece in-cycle using the two rotary axes brings higher accuracy through the elimination of tolerance build-up. The Makino has internal sensors and strategic cooling of the spindle, ball screws and machine structure that allow high precision to be held in the Whitchurch factory, even though it is not temperature controlled. Directors Tim Combes and his son Mark point to a 54 HRc Stavax test piece machined by the Makino under controlled conditions in its test laboratory in Japan to 2 µm total tolerance, commenting that twice that is achievable on BM Injection’s shop floor.
Says Tim Combes: “Dimensional accuracy is critical when producing moulds and dies. We need to hold ±0.012 mm on cavity dimensions, interpolated diameters and hole positions.”
Surface finish is also important. A mould that takes 20 hours to hand polish if it is produced on a spark eroder can, after direct milling, be finished in three to four hours on the Makino, which is an enormous labour cost saving. Lead-time from order to completion has been cut by an average of 40%.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

A Black Country manufacturing specialist is investing in a state-of-the-art multi-axis CNC milling centre to help it deliver £2m of new orders. Cube Precision Engineering, which can handle work from single-op prototype tooling to complex multi-stage tooling suites, has spent £300,000 on a new MTE BF3200 that will boost capacity at its Rowley Regis facility and support the development of low-to-medium volume work for clients involved in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

The company used expert advice from accountancy firm Haines Watts to unlock R&D tax credits funding that has made the purchase of the new machine possible, and is now planning on maximising its new capability to secure a record £5m year.
Neil Clifton, who started the business with engineer Phil Bannister in 2009, says: “It has been a rollercoaster of a year, with a very slow January and February leading into one of the busiest periods in our history. In a good way, the quieter months at the start of the year helped us to focus on new opportunities and that is now starting to pay off.
“In the past six months, we’ve picked up over £2m of new work and this is split across automotive and commercial vehicle [£1.7m] and aerospace [£300,000],” he continues. “We knew the sudden growth would cause a few production bottlenecks and that is why we’ve invested in the new CNC milling machine. When the machine is installed, it will give us an additional 15% capacity, provide larger milling capability and, importantly, is faster than previous models so will reduce cycle times.”
Employing 42 people, Cube Precision Engineering can handle tooling of all sizes, boasting a lifting capacity to 35 tonnes and pressing capacity of 1000 tonnes.
For further information www.cubeprecision.com

A specialist in electromagnetic wave filters for the defence sector has increased its machining capacity with the installation of new Quaser technology. BSC Filters, which designs and manufactures microwave filters, diplexers, waveguides and coaxial passive components, has reacted to a changing need for more complicated product types by installing the latest vertical machining centre.

Working with the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the York-based company commissioned the machine for its efficiency, compact floor space, rigidity and accuracy, with its 12,000 rpm spindle improving production speed considerably. The Quaser also comes with 30 tools, the latest swarf management technology and Heidenhain controls.
Daniel Malarkey, machine shop supervisor at BSC Filters, says: “Over the past 12 months, our business has grown 22% and this is largely due to demand for more complex components from the defence sector. We had to meet this demand head-on, which is why we chose to engage with ETG to help us specify a new machine that would give us flexibility, speed and consistent quality.”
He continues: “The ETG service was excellent and the capabilities of the Quaser MV134EH were quickly identified and agreed. In addition, the machine was installed within the timeframe requested. We now have the additional capacity required to meet the 22% growth and, importantly, go after more new business opportunities.”
Lee Adamson, regional sales manager at ETG, adds: “The Quaser is proving such a popular machine for subcontract manufacturers, and it’s not difficult to see why. The compact footprint means it can be easily installed on the shop floor, yet despite its size it offers outstanding performance, thanks in part to the high precision linear guideway used in three axes.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Starrag’s NB 151 impeller and blisk machine made its UK public debut at the recent aerospace-focused ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ manufacturing best-practice event staged by Seco Tools. The new NB 151 could be seen performing the live machining of titanium and Inconel blisk segments as part of a comprehensive programme of best practice demonstrations and seminar presentations.

Starrag’s demonstration saw the twin-pallet NB 151 machining the segments in a single set-up, courtesy of specially-developed A and B rotary axes. The axes’ spindle movement allows the tool/cutting angle to be positioned relatively close to the workpiece, resulting in not only a more stable machining process, but a far more effective route to minimal cycle times.
Importantly, this improved accessibility to the workpiece is courtesy of a B-axis stroke of 280° which, together with the compact A axis and relatively slender spindle, enables the component to be accessed in all directions, even at the bottom of the Y-axis stroke.
As a result of the collaboration between Starrag, Open Mind and Seco, the demonstration highlighted an optimised machining solution that eliminates the traditional problems of short tool life and excessively long cycle times associated with difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium and Inconel.
For further information www.starrag.com

MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group, has recently introduced a range of CNC bed mills equipped with the advanced DynaPath control. There are three machines in the range: the MDM 700 (X, Y and Z-axis travels of 710, 400 and 500 mm respectively); the MDM 850 (830 x 500 x 610 mm); and the MDM 1000 (1000 x 500 x 610 mm).

In addition to the machines’ ISO40 taper spindles with up to 5000 rpm spindle speed, and 1524 x 330 mm working tables offering a maximum load capacity of 500 kg, all three models are equipped with a range of value-added features supplied as standard. These include a 12.1” touchscreen, MPG hand wheel, air draw bar, interlock table guard and coolant equipment. Furthermore, Wi-Fi capability facilitates ‘remote’ diagnostic and online support.
The DynaPath control system is inherently versatile and features conversational and ISO/G-code programming capability. An 8 Gb on-board (program) storage facility, combined with 1000-line look-ahead, ensures fast processing speeds and responsiveness.
Another feature of the control is its simple to understand menus, and the integration of on-screen graphics to help eliminate programming omissions and errors. The provision of an advanced DXF reader, as standard, featuring grouped hole and contour selection, adds to the control’s flexibility and appeal.
Datum setting using alignment, a suggested feeds and speeds database, sub-program calling, the ability to use macro-programming, the ability to facilitate program simulation using tool path or 3D rendered graphics, and programmable spindle control – are among further features of the DynaPath control.
“The first MDM machine – a MDM 1000 – arrived in the UK at the end of September and was sold immediately,” says Mike Corbett, MACH Machine Tools’ CNC machine tool divisional manager. “We’ve since brought in more machines, and interest in them has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
For further information www.machmt.co.uk