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
