Turn-mill centre ups connectors' competitivity

Manufacturer of multiway electrical and fibre optic connectors has bought an Index G160 mill-turn centre to produce wide ranging features on one machine and save 65-70% of standard set times.

Manufacturer of multiway electrical and fibre optic connectors has bought an Index G160 mill-turn centre to produce wide ranging features on one machine and save 65-70% of standard set times.

Deutsch, the leading edge manufacturer of multiway electrical and fibre optic connectors, has scored an industry first by investing in the innovative Index G160 CNC turning/milling centre with its additional satellite spindle, increasing its versatility.

Deutsch is synonymous with technology leadership, manufacturing connectors for a wide range of applications, from Formula 1 racing cars to submarines, specialising in providing interconnection solutions for harsh environments, including extreme heat, dust, moisture and chemicals.

Andrew Meredith, Production Engineering Manager, hopes the G160 will revolutionise Deutsch's connector shell production.

"It is a multi-axis machine with two integral automatic tool changers that has been bought in to produce some of our small batch work," explains Meredith.

Holding up to 100 tools, the new machine will allow the operators to change from component to component with very little down time.

"The real advantage is the ability to produce wide ranging features on one machine," says Meredith.

"We anticipate savings of 65-70% of standard set times." This latest acquisition, a high performance turning/milling centre, which cost around GBP 360,000, is part of an ongoing plan of investment which amounts to approximately GBP 1.5 million a year.

Developed and tested in Germany, the G160 will place Deutsch ahead of their rivals.

"We are pleased to have the first G160 in the UK," says Andrew.

"We expect it to help us to maintain our lead in the market.".

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