B Hepworth & Co, a specialist designer and manufacturer of bespoke marine, rail and defence windscreen wiping systems, as well as washing equipment and integrated control systems, has strengthened its machining capabilities with the installation of two new DN Solutions multi-tasking lathes supplied by Mills CNC: a box guideway Puma lathe and a long-bed Puma sub-spindle, Y-axis lathe.
Installed at the company’s Redditch facility in December, the machines form the core of two highly customised automated manufacturing cells developed collaboratively by Mills CNC’s applications engineers and B Hepworth’s technical team. Integrated with HydraFeed X-Files bar feeders, the cells automate the loading of bar stock and extraction of finished components, helping the company improve productivity, increase throughput and optimise small-part machining operations.
One of the cells also incorporates HydraFeed’s Return Speed extraction system, enabling the automatic transfer of finished parts through the sub-spindle into a high-capacity storage magazine for unattended production.
The cells are now producing a range of small, high-precision components used in B Hepworth’s pantograph and pendulum marine and rail wiper systems. Manufactured from materials including mild steel, stainless steel and brass, the parts feature tight tolerances, intricate geometries and fine surface finishes.
Edward Eddy, commercial director at B Hepworth & Co, says: “Our two new automated turning cells are pivotal in helping us achieve our small turned part production requirements. The investment has significantly increased throughput, reduced outsourcing costs and improved our ability to meet customer lead times and quality expectations.”
The latest machines replace a number of ageing stand-alone lathes and bring previously subcontracted work back in-house. B Hepworth is now working closely with Mills CNC to further optimise unattended machining performance and maximise the cells’ lights-out manufacturing potential.
More information www.millscnc.co.uk
