Since 2008, when JCF Engineering was founded as a subcontract machining business by John
Felton, the company has invested in XYZ machines of various types to allow for the
manufacture of a wide range of components. Such has been the success of the business that
it now has two sites, one located in Scunthorpe and a second facility in Norfolk. It’s at the
Scunthorpe location that the latest acquisitions of a XYZ 750 LR vertical machining centre
and a 65 LTY-S sub-spindle turning centre are located. The machines were installed to
handle growing demand on the company to manufacture sub-sea parts, among other
products.
When Felton saw that XYZ had launched a sub-spindle lathe, it had him thinking about how
he could reduce set-up and handling times on parts that were getting ever more
complicated, especially as there are only two members of staff on site.
“We were spending a lot of time here at JCF doing set ups for second or third operations
when taking parts from single-spindle lathes to our machining centres fitted with a fourth
axis. We saw the opportunity that by investing in the XYZ 65 LTY-S we could reduce this non-
productive time, create extra capacity on our existing machines and produce additional
work.”
The XYZ 65 LTY-S allows companies to process parts off the machine complete. Supplied
with a 65 mm main spindle bar capacity and providing a maximum turned diameter of 380
mm and mated to the 12-station BMT65 driven tool turret, the LTY-S offers the opportunity
to turn, mill and drill complex parts employing the X, Y, and Z axes. The simple transfer cycle
provided by the Shopturn software makes second end work a breeze once the work sits in
the sub spindle, with all the functionality offered on the main spindle. Transition to the sub
spindle ensures greater productivity with enhanced accuracy. It also provides the
opportunity for lights-out operations.
The 65 LTY-S purchase has certainly achieved JCF’s ambitions. It has allowed this progressive
manufacturing business to produce parts with ever-increasing complexity. It also allows
increases in capacity.
“Since the investment in the 65 LTY-S, our turnover has grown substantially,” states Felton.
“It was only after we had got into the swing of using the machine that we fully appreciated
the gains that were being provided”.
He continues: “There are a number of areas where this machine excels for the work we do.
Firstly, the machining features are all aligned between first operation in the 65 mm bar
capacity spindle and the 45 mm capacity sub spindle, with the sub-spindle coming across
and clamping on the part before parting off. This capability ensures the machine never loses
where the part is during the manufacturing process.”
It’s all aided by the easy-to-use Siemens 828D control, fitted with Shopturn software.
“We have yet to find a job we cannot program through the Shopturn software, and this
reduces any need for CAM in the office. In fact, programming transfer of the part from main
to sub spindle was covered by XYZ in a matter of minutes. Secondly the BMT65 turret has
real benefits for us. The holding of a number of static or driven tools in each station has
proven to be a massive advantage.”
With the Y axis having 100 mm of travel (50 mm above and below centre height), the
flexibility to move tools off centre for not only milling, drilling and tapping, but also turning-
style tools, has opened up capability and reduced set-ups as most of the time the tools
require by JCF are already in the turret and set.
“Finally, the machines motorised spindles offer masses of power [22 kW main spindle and
15 kW sub-spindle] for the main material we machine, which is 316 stainless steel. However,
having driven tools running up to 5000 rpm is helpful when machining high-performance
thermoplastics such as PEEK.”
Since the formation of the business, JCF has continued to purchase XYZ machines in many
different formats. Felton states: “XYZ’s products have provided us with the perfect
machining platform for the work we produce, and the LTY-S has been no exception. The
support has been excellent and, if the service team visit, they know the products well and
provide a fast and efficient service. This, mated with the controls that XYZ fit, namely
ProtoTRAK and Siemens using conversational software, ensures the machines are a perfect
match for our business.”
With its latest CNC machining technology, designs and requirements can be transformed
into a reality at a competitive price. JCF says existing customers return to time and time
again because of ISO9001-registered company’s proven helpful, flexible and high-quality
service. Whatever the product or market, JCF always applies its skills and experience to
provide customers with the machining service they need. Now embellished with the XYZ 65
LTY-S sub-spindle turning centre, the company is rightly proud of the high standard of
machining solutions it produces.
Ultimately, JCF Engineering offers a friendly, professional and competitive turning and
milling service, and is pleased to talk to existing or prospective new customers about their
machining needs, irrespective of batch size.
More information www.xyzmachinetools.com
