Founded in 1984, Heppler GmbH from Spaichingen has made a name for itself as a contract manufacturer in numerous industries, including electronics, mechanical engineering, hydraulics and medical. Heppler has been using machine tools from DMG Mori for its manufacturing since 2018. The fleet of machines now includes 10 machining centres and turning machines. Most recent to arrive was a CLX 450 TC with Robo2Go, representing the first example of a new turn-mill centre from DMG Mori.

“We’ve been able to achieve growth of up to 15% in recent years through innovative manufacturing technologies and flexible automation solutions, such as the CLX 450 TC with Robo2Go,” says managing director Dieter Heppler.

With the CLX 450 TC, DMG Mori has developed a turn-mill centre that is said to offer users affordable entry into six-sided complete machining.

“This favourably-priced machine concept was a convincing reason for the acquisition,” reflects Heppler. Since then, the CLX 450 TC has been responsible in particular for complex workpieces made of aluminium and stainless steel. “We also installed a Robo2Go from DMG Mori so that we could use the machine for unmanned third shifts overnight and at the weekend.”

In particular, it is possible to process smaller batch sizes completely autonomously in this way. For larger series, work is limited to simply loading the Robo2Go.

Heppler will continue to practice its modernisation philosophy when making future investments.

“Forthcoming purchases will be made with the same considerations in mind,” he confirms. “Innovative manufacturing technology and flexible automation solutions will play a central role in this.”
For further information www.dmgmori.com

In response to an upturn in business over the past few years, Merseyside subcontract machining company Wealdpark is to treble the size of its factory. The first phase of expansion, due to begin immediately, will add an extension a little larger than the 6000 sq ft unit it presently operates in St Helens. By the end of 2023, another 5000 sq ft unit is scheduled for completion on an adjacent plot that was purchased recently.

Mainly a precision turned parts subcontractor, the family owned and run firm operates two vertical machining centres and 15 sliding-head lathes on the shop floor, alongside six Miyano fixed-head turning centres from Citizen Machinery UK. The latest to arrive, in April 2022, was a Miyano ABX-64SYY, bringing to four the number of these 65 mm diameter bar capacity machines purchased since 2014. Also in use are 51 and 42 mm capacity models.

Together with father Jim and brother Steve, Phil Smith is a director and joint owner of Wealdpark. He says: “We’ve increased turnover by a quarter in the two years since the start of the pandemic and sales during each of the first five months of 2022 were at a record level compared with previous years. The production of parts for the hydraulic, pneumatic and yellow goods industries is particularly strong at the moment. We’re also active in the aerospace, automotive, electrical fastener, firefighting, military and temperature measurement sectors. This has given us the confidence to invest in new infrastructure and capacity to develop our business. Part of that strategy will be the continuing purchase of top-quality plant like Miyano lathes, which we’ve used since 2007.”
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk