Since its inception in 1945, Northern Tool and Gear Ltd (NTG) have been producing high-quality gears at its facility in Arbroath. Nowadays, the company utilises a diverse range of high-end machine tools to manufacture everything from one-offs to the high-volume production of gears and transmission components. To support this activity, NTG recently invested in a Mitsubishi MV4800S wire EDM machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

NTG’s managing director Gordon Strachan says: “To produce things like keyways, we would previously use a broach or old-fashioned slotting machine, which was slow and laborious and would occasionally display quality issues. Splines and external gears have dedicated machines that are fast and efficient but require a lot of tooling and long set-up times. In fact, sometimes the tooling would cost more than the job. Now, if the customer needs something in a hurry, we can cut it on our new Mitsubishi wire EDM.”

Discussing the selection of the Mitsubishi MV4800S, he adds: “We looked at four or five manufacturers. I cut this list down to two and eventually, through the graces of RAM Engineering & Tooling, the Scottish distribution partner for ETG, we selected the Mitsubishi. I had been impressed with Mitsubishi machines from the start and, from visiting machines at the sites of users, I could see the quality of the product and the technology involved. Everything is state-of-the-art and the control system is very user-friendly.”

The particularly large MV4800S machine incorporates technology like automatic wire threading, linear shaft motors and an optical drive system for precision and circular accuracy within 1 µm.

More information www.engtechgroup.com