UK NEWS

Customer service key to XYZ success

Aftersales service is an absolute priority at XYZ Machine Tools. Managing director Nigel Atherton says: “We have around 25,000 machines in use in the UK and our primary objective is to keep them all cutting metal and earning money for our customers.”The company has 17 service engineers located around the country with the 150 most commonly required spare parts in their vans. At XYZ’s Devon headquarters there are a further eight people dedicated to service.

XYZ keeps around 90% of spare parts on the shelf ready for next-day delivery. The company resolves more than half of service calls over the phone, rising to 90% for programming and software queries. XYZ schedules any required visits so that the nearest service engineer can arrive the next day to coincide with the delivery of any spares not stocked in the van.Live tracking of the vans’ locations ensures XYZ normally resolves warranty breakdowns within 48 hours or less and non-warranty breakdowns within 72 hours maximum.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

DUGARD DELIVERS OPTIMAL MACHINE TOOL SOLUTION

Founded in 2005, DGF Engineering has been on a continuous growth trajectory and, at every step of the way, the Hertfordshire manufacturer has turned to Dugard for its CNC machine tools. The company started its investment in Dugard machines with the Dugard 1000 three-axis vertical machining centre, since been followed by a SMEC SL 2000M turning centre and now a smaller Dugard 550 machining centre.

The acquisition of the SMEC SL 2000M turning centre in 2022 was due to the turned components at DGF Engineering Ltd increasingly needing secondary milling operations on machining centres. To free-up milling capacity, the Royston-based subcontractor, which produces a diverse range of components for a variety of sectors, believed the Dugard SMEC would make a major difference – and it has.

Recalling why the company invested in a live turning centre, Liam Fernard, workshop manager at DGF Engineering,says: “Turning work with milled features was tying up our CNC milling department for too long and we needed a solution with live tooling. As we were happy with the service that we’d received from Dugard on our Dugard 1000 three-axis vertical machining centre, we naturally looked at their lathes.The SMEC SL 2000M turning centre ticked all the boxes.”

The SMEC SL 2000M CNC lathe comes with FANUC 0iTF or Siemens 828D control options, mill/drill option (M model), 570 mm swing over bed, 460 mm swing over cross slide and an 8″ chuck. It can handle parts measuring up 360 mm diameter and 540/520 mm in length.

With the service, support and reliability of Dugard being as robust as the machines, the company turned to Dugardonce again when it needed additional milling capacity.

Discussing the latest acquisition, Fernard says: “We bought the Dugard 550 for several reasons, one being its small footprint. We didn’t have a huge amount of room and the machine that the Dugard 550 replaced was only a small machine. A lot of the work we do is quite small components, so we didn’t need a large bed and big footprint machine like our Dugard 1000. So, the specification of this machine met all our needs and it fits exactly where we wanted it.”

As a subcontractor, DGF Engineering will typically machine anything, but its main industry focus is the scientific, liquid and gas testing industries – but then this diverse company could also be undertaking work for a farmer down the road.

“We machine a wide range of materials that include aluminium and stainless steel, and for a small machine the Dugard 550 handles stainless very well,” reports Fernard.“The machine has a 10,000 rpm spindle; the horsepower is very good and it will cut all day long.”

Referring to why the company has purchased yet another Dugard machine, Fernard adds: “We’ve been really impressed with the first two Dugard machines we bought and the service has been great. The machine it replaced was getting a little bit old and the spindle speed was only 6000rpm, so it just wasn’t machining how we really wanted. From experience, the first place for us to go was Dugard,to see what they had available.The Dugard 550 stood out; it seemed perfect for our needs.”

The Dugard 550 is a cost-effective vertical machining centre with FANUC, Siemens and Mitsubishi control options. Travel in the X, Y and Z-axis is 550, 440 and 460 mm respectively, with the machine offering a 16-station automatic tool changer (ATC). From order to delivery, the machine was on the shop floor in a matter of weeks.

“The machine was a stock model in the Dugard showroom and, as soon as we were interested, we paid a deposit and it was just a case of sorting things out here to make sure we could get the machine placed,” explains Fernard.“Dugard delivered the machine and took the old one away.They also re-sited another machine for us and completed everything in just 90 minutes. As a company, Dugard understands we have to make money and downtime is expensive, so they do everything in their power to get us up and running as quickly as they can.”

The company is programming its machines with an offline CAM system, alluding to which, Fernard says: “The latest machine fits in easily, just like the other machines. There is a post-processor for the machines, so you don’t have to make any changes. Additionally, we have a mist filtration system on the latest machine. We were debating whether we needed a filtration system, but to make sure we were compliant with legislation, we installed a Dugard filtration unit on the Dugard 550.”

In conclusion, Fernard says: “The machine was delivered with the filtration system already fitted and, as we were very happy with immediate results, we asked Dugard to retrofit filtration systems to our other machines. This was done a day after the Dugard 550 machine was delivered and installed. The service has been fantastic and whenever I speak to anyone who is looking for a machine, I always recommend Dugard because they haven’t put a foot wrong. There’s nothing that is too much trouble for them and they will help you out as much as they can.”
For further information www.dugard.com

Energy efficiency in press brake operations

In the sheet metalworking and manufacturing sector, where large machines like pressbrakes are used extensively, optimising energy consumption has become a priority. Energy-efficient press-brake operations not only contribute to a greener planet but also lead to cost savings and increased productivity.

Modern press brakes are equipped with advanced drive systems that minimise energy wastage. Servo-electric and hybrid drive systems used in ACCURL pressbrakes (available in the UK from Axe & Status) offer precise control over motion and energy consumption, as they only consume power when needed during the bending process.

Intelligent motion control systems in press brakes also play a crucial role in energy optimisation. These systems can adapt the machine’s speed and force based on the specific bending requirements, resulting in more efficient energy utilisation.

Energy-efficient press brakes such as ACCURL machines feature idle and standby modes that automatically reduce energy consumption when the machine is not actively engaged in bending operations. During periods of inactivity, these modes limit power usage, helping businesses save on electricity costs and reduce their environmental impact.

As a further point of note, regular maintenance of press brakes is essential to ensure optimal energy efficiency. Clean and well-maintained machines experience fewer mechanical losses and operate more efficiently.

The role of operators is also vital in achieving energy efficiency in press-brake operations. Well-trained operators who understand the machine’s features and energy-saving functions can make informed decisions to maximise efficiency during production. Streamlining the bending process can also contribute to energy efficiency. By optimising machine tooling set-ups, reducing unnecessary tool changesand consolidating bending tasks, businesses can minimise downtime and improve overall energy utilisation.
For further information www.axestatus.com

LAS set to enter space sector

Doncaster-based Laser Additive Solutions (LAS), a rapidly expanding subcontract provider of laser processing and additive manufacturing services, is targeting customers in the UK’s burgeoning space sector following its investment in aTruPrint 3000 additive production system from Trumpf. If things go to plan, the machine could be the first of many metal 3D printers at this progressive manufacturing business.

“Upon our enquiry, Trumpf alerted us to the availability of a quick-delivery TruPrint 3000 machine,” says managing director Peter Brown. “Although pre-owned, the machine had very low running hours, almost untouched. A powder-bed system had been in my thoughts for a number of years; this was clearly the opportune moment to make the leap.The space sector is constantly seeking manufacturing solutions for lightweight structures that are not easy to build with other technologies.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

Hurco Demo Deals Day

Three CNC lathes and 10 machining centres, two of which feature automation, are currently under power at Hurco Europe’s High Wycombe showroom. Unless sold earlier, all will be available for purchase exactly as seen at specially discounted ex-demo prices at a Demo Deals Day on 28 September. In addition to a Hurco ProCobot Profeeder twin-cart system fitted to a VM20i three-axis machining centre and an Erowa Robot Compact 80 pallet automation system integrated with a VMX30Ui five-axis model, accessories fitted to some of the machines on sale include Renishaw probing and Filtermist extraction units.
For further information www.bit.ly/3L3iUDl