SUBCONTRACTING NEWS

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

Toolmaker keeps pace with automotive market

With its own press shop serving the production facility of a major automotive plant in Eastern Europe, Essex-based Alpine Tools recently entered the market for a new wire EDM machine. Faced with a requirement to manufacture tools for its in-house press operations and various subcontract customers, the company selected a Sodick VL600Q CNC wire-erosion machine from a shortlist of six.

“Our previous wire EDM [not Sodick] was reaching the end of its useful life, so it was time to invest in another,” explains managing director Keith Chetland. “I used an Excel spreadsheet to cross-reference and benchmark six EDM machines. We chose the VL600Q from Sodi-Tech EDM for a number of reasons, notably the 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee, which shows confidence in the technology.”

Since arrival, the machine has been busy with a variety of tasks, including the manufacture of high-precision press-tool punches and dies. Alpine Tools also usesits new Sodick wire EDM to undertake press-tool maintenance.

In addition, the machine serves the company’s subcontract tool-room operations. Here, the company produces fixtures for machining and welding, along with inspection gauges and other tools from materials such as tool steel, stainless steel and even aluminium. These tools end up in sectors such as medical, heating and lighting.

“We’re an independent toolroom so we’ll take on anything that comes through the door,” says Chetland. “The new Sodick gives us greater accuracy, better economy and a somewhat larger working envelope than we had previously.”

He adds: “We’ve not run lights-out yet, but we plan to. It will be nice to go home at night knowing that we’ll arrive next morning and find the machine still running, without stoppages due to a failed wire re-threading operation, for example.”
For further information www.sodi-techedm.co.uk