California-based aerospace subcontractor Notthoff Engineering has strengthened its high-speed machining capacity with the purchase of a second Starrag Ecospeed horizontal machining centre, building on more than a decade of success with its original Ecospeed F 2060.

Founded in 1941 as a wartime job shop, Notthoff Engineering has evolved into a specialist manufacturer of structural aerospace components for major defence programmes, including the F-35, F-47 and F-16. Operating from a 65,000 ft² facility in Huntington Beach, the company machines predominantly aluminium components, often removing up to 95% of the original billet material.

The company’s first Ecospeed F 2060 was installed in 2013 following an extensive evaluation process. According to COO Arnie Juarez, the machine’s patented Sprint Z3 parallel-kinematic head proved decisive: “Most large horizontal machines have heavy rotating heads that limit speed and productivity. The Z3 head accelerates incredibly quickly, allowing us to machine parts much faster than other machines on the market.”

More than 13 years after installation, the original machine continues to hold tolerances within one-thousandth of an inch without major overhaul. The latest addition, an Ecospeed F 1540, provides complementary capacity for smaller components, enabling the more efficient utilisation of both machines.

Both feature dual-pallet configurations to maximise spindle uptime and support around-the-clock production. The Ecospeed platform also enables the completion of complex machining operations in a single set up, helping Notthoff meet increasingly demanding aerospace specifications.

Juarez also highlights Starrag’s aftersales support as a key factor behind the repeat investment: “They’ve always stood behind their product. When support is needed, they respond quickly and understand that machine uptime is critical to our business.”More information www.starrag.com