UK NEWS

Big Turnout at Mills CNC Tech Show

Machine tool supplier Mills CNC reports that ‘The One Show,’ the company’s recent one-hit machining technology event at its campus facility in Leamington, was a roaring success. Over 180 visitors attended the event, where two new machine tools from DN Solutions made their UK debuts:the DVF 5000 Mk II simultaneous five-axis machining centre and the entry-level DNX 2100SB multi-axis mill-turn machine.

CEO Tony Dale says: “We wanted to do something different and host an event relevant to the future productivity and process efficiency needs of component manufacturers.As a result, we focused the whole event around one-hit machining, and it definitely paid off.A number of enquiries for the new DNX 2100SB and DVF 5000 Mk II are being actively followed up as we speak.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

Free-of-chargework-holding seminars available

According to 1st Machine Tool Accessories, workholding may not always be the most glamorous part of machining, but it is one of the most important. For engineers, a strong understanding of work-holding principles is essential asit directly influences product quality, efficiency, safety and overall manufacturing costs.

At its core, workholding ensures that a workpiece is positioned securely and accurately during machining. This stability not only guarantees precision but also enables engineers to optimise operations, reduce waste and design parts that are manufacturable at scale.

Several key reasons exist whyevery engineer should understand workholding.Optimised workholding set-ups not only prevent workpiece movement, ensuring finished parts meet exact tolerances, they can also minimise defects, rework and wasted material, directly reducing manufacturing expenses.

Of course, production efficiency also sees an increase, where quick changeovers and standardised set-ups keep machines producing for longer. Here, the ability to select the optimal device – jig, fixture, vice or chuck – for specific part geometries and production volumes, is paramount. By understanding workholding, engineers can design parts that are easier to hold and machine, even when complex.

Safety is another critical factor. Properly held workpieces prevent dangerous accidents resulting from components that shift from the held position.

1st MTA believes knowledge of workholding is essential to developing skilled, confident engineers. That is why the company is offering free-of-charge work-holding seminars to educational establishments and training centres.These sessions cover best practice, principles and hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment, helping to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.

More information www.1mta.com

UK’s first HBZ AeroCell 160-400 machines installed

With demand in the aerospace sector continuing to rise, Moyola Precision Engineering has taken a bold step forward in its production capabilities – investing in the UK’s first HBZ AeroCell 160-400 five-axis horizontal machining centres from Bavius. The machines mark a major milestone in Moyola’s ongoing commitment to performance, innovation and global competitiveness.

In response to continued growth and increasing demand across the aerospace sector, Moyola launched a strategic R&D initiative to expand capacity and transformed its manufacturing approach for a major international aerospace programme. The project focused on developing a new method of manufacturing, incorporating innovative tooling strategies and a reimagined, highly efficient production workflow.

Central to this initiative was the installation of two HBZ AeroCell 160-400 machines – the latest arriving in February 2025 – configured as a fully integrated twin-pallet manufacturing cell and tailored for high-speed machining of large aluminium aerospace parts.

Lee Averill CADCAM engineering manager at Moyola, says: “The HBZ AeroCell set up has played a pivotal role in redefining our approach to large workpiece machining, consistently exceeding expectations in both speed and precision.”

Today, the AeroCell machines are operating at full production capacity. Thanks to optimised engineering, intelligent pallet handling, and a well-balanced takt time, Moyola

benefits from a highly stable and continuous machining process with minimal downtime an ideal setup for scaling production while maintaining precision and consistency.

This new capability has allowed Moyola to deliver on critical production commitments with greater flexibility and efficiency. The combination of high-speed machining and ultra-precise output means Moyola can continue to meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace sector with confidence.

More information www.engtechgroup.com

Sixth Dugard installation supports Growth at Dicker

Nestled in the South Downs of East Sussex, Dicker Precision Components has been quietly building a reputation for excellence in precision machining since its founding in 1973. What began as a small CNC workshop in Hailsham has evolved into a thriving machine shop with the support of machine tools from Dugard.

The company’s location near Eastbourne proves advantageous for its core market focus, as Director Mark Love explains: “Some 90% of our business is related to the pump industry and 90% of this involves machining stainless steel. The Eastbourne area is renowned for pump manufacture in the UK.”

This geographical advantage has helped Dicker Precision carve out a specialised niche serving everything from the aerospace and automotive sectors to the defence, medical and offshore sectors. To machine stainless, the company says it invests in Dugard machines for their rigidity, stability and power.

The latest acquisition, a Dugard 760XP VMC, represents both a strategic capacity increase and a technological upgrade designed to meet growing demand while improving productivity. The ‘XP’ designation refers to the direct drive spindle technology that adds power for the continuous stainless steel work that dominates Dicker Precision’s order book.

Says Brandon Love, deputy operations manager: “The direct drive spindle gives us something a bit stronger, addressing the demanding nature of machining stainless steel components for the pump industry, where precision and durability are paramount.”

A significant factor in the machine selection was the Siemens Sinumerik 828D control system, which maintains consistency across Dicker Precision’s machine shop.

“We run our other machines with Siemens, so it just makes sense for consistency and quick turnaround,” he adds. “It’s just so much faster to just keep all the CNC control panels the same.”

More information www.dugard.com

Motorsport Inspires RPH’s Hurco Machine Investment

RPH Manufacturing, a tier-one supplier based in Wimborne, has consistently prioritised precision, efficiency, cleanliness and innovation throughout its long history. At the helm is owner and managing director Richard Haim, whose passion for engineering, which began 57 years ago, led him to start his own company in 1981. Upon asking him why he has a preference for vertical machining centres from Hurco, he says: “I like the brand because I know a lot of the Formula 1 Teams are customers of theirs. I have been a lifelong motorsport enthusiast and I thought there could be no better endorsement to purchase a Hurco machine tool.”

Four Hurco VM-series machines, equipped with Max 5 twin-screen controls running proprietary WinMax conversational programming software, today form the backbone of RPH’s workshop. They enable the company to deliver more than 45,000 parts per year to a wide range of industries. Just-in-time and Kanban systems offer customers reliable, often daily supply of parts keep their businesses running and minimise their stockholding.

Haim is always open to innovations and new working methods that can make his business perform more efficiently. A good example is the way in which he has embraced Hurco’s Solid Model Import software. Already a user of Hurco DXF software, he was easily able to realise the additional benefits of applying dimensions directly from a STEP file into a conversational program. 

After 44 years in business, Haim is as committed as ever to running his VM-series machines and has set his sights firmly on reaching RPH’s 50-year trading milestone, which will be in 2031. His unwavering commitment to Hurco underscores the value the machines have brought to his business and his confidence in the supplier’s ability to support his continued success in the future.

More information www.hurco.com