Established in 2001 as a sliding-head turned parts subcontractor, Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd (YPEL) expanded into fixed-head machining in 2007 with its first Japanese-built Miyano lathe. More than two decades later, the Keighley-based manufacturer has strengthened its machining capability again by investing in a new Miyano BNE-65MYY from Citizen Machinery UK.

Now led by second-generation directors Sam and Jack Laybourne, YPEL supplies precision components to sectors including oil and gas, medical, agriculture, marine and electronics. The new 65 mm capacity twin-spindle, twin Y-axis turning centre has quickly become the company’s preferred machine thanks to significant gains in productivity, accuracy and flexibility.

“Parts come off the BNE twice as quickly as one of our older Miyano machines,” says managing director Sam Laybourne. “The twin Y-axis turrets allow us to complete more complex components in a single operation, while the machine’s rigidity and thermal stability deliver higher quality parts with less tool wear.”

The BNE’s hand-scraped box guideways provide exceptional rigidity, enabling higher cutting parameters, reduced vibration and improved surface finish. Together with faster feeds and speeds, these features have helped YPEL reduce cycle times while maintaining tolerances as tight as ±10 µm when required.

Technical director Jack Laybourne says investment in modern machine tools forms part of a wider strategy to improve efficiency and profitability: “Repairing older machines was becoming increasingly costly. Investing in new technology allows us to reduce operations, increase throughput and improve reliability.”

Citizen Machinery UK also provided operator training and Alkart Wizard conversational programming software, simplifying the programming of complex multi-path machining operations.

So successful has the BNE-65MYY proved that YPEL has already ordered a further Miyano turning centre, a BNJ-51SY7 LFV, to expand capacity and support reliable lights-out production of difficult-to-machine materials.

More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Driven by a need to produce more accurate, increasingly complex components in shorter lead times, Dorset-based hydraulic engineering specialist Ram Reman Ltd has invested in an XYZ 320 LTY turning centre.

Established more than 30 years ago and part of the Rotec Group since 2015, Ram Reman designs, manufactures and refurbishes hydraulic equipment for industries including defence, marine, aerospace and utilities. The company produces a wide range of components, such as cylinders, manifolds, fittings and end caps, using a mix of manual and CNC machine tools.

According to technical manager Tony Foster, growing demand to reduce manufacturing costs and improve efficiency prompted the investment: “Many of our parts require both turning and milling. We wanted a machine that would reduce set-ups, lower production costs and free up our existing machines for work they are better suited to.”

Following discussions with XYZ’s Dorset area sales manager, Russell Bedford, Ram Reman selected the XYZ 320 LTY. Its 78 mm bar capacity, 320 mm turning capability, higher spindle speed, 32 kW main spindle motor, driven tooling and 100 mm Y-axis travel offered the flexibility needed to consolidate operations on a single machine. The benefits were immediate.

“A recent large stainless steel component saw machining time cut by 50% compared with our older machines,” says Foster. “The spindle power makes a real difference, while the 12-station VDI turret and Renishaw tool presetting arm reduce intervention and speed up tool changes and set-up. We can also machine features, such as end-cap scrolls, far more efficiently than before.

“The XYZ 320 LTY has improved our productivity, increased flexibility and strengthened our competitive capability.”

More information www.xyzmachinetools.com