Product category:
Machining centres - all types
News Release from: DMG (UK) | Subject: Machining centres
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 July 2007
Machining centres speed subcontract
throughput
A 5-axis machining centre installed at a subcontract machine shop reduced cycle times 25-30%, encouraging the company to oder more machining centres from the same supplier.
After installing a 5-axis machining cente, a UK subcontract precision machine shop realised a reduction in machining cycle times of 25-30% Such gains encouraged the company to order further machines from DMG, which had originally supplied the DMU50 five-axis CNC machining centre
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Specialising in aerospace and defence equipment component machining, Plalite has ordered two DMC635V vertical machining centres and a second DMU50 from DMG (UK).
Plalite's co-owner Darren Cordell, said: "We were very aware that 5-axis was the future of CNC milling.
We needed more capacity, and although we had a range of 3/4-axis vertical machining centres, we felt 5-axis was the way forward." Plalite researched the market for a high quality, 5-axis machining centre being sold at a competitive price.
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"It was time for a change and the DMG sales representative happened to call in at the right moment.
He introduced us to the DMU50 and said the machine was designed for entry into CNC universal milling - he wasn't wrong.
We could see immediately that it was more than capable of meeting our requirements." The DMU50 5-axis machining centre, after its installment 12 months ago, has been machining complex aluminium components for aircraft cabin interiors and interior crew seats.
Batch sizes can range from '5-off' up to 500, to general machining tolerances around +/-0.1mm.
"Using our existing 3/4-axis machining centres many of these parts required multiple set-ups," explained Cordell.
"However, with our DMU50 we can complete components in a 'single hit'.
On certain jobs this equates to a massive saving in set-up time alone - as much as 25-30% in some instances." The 5-axis machining centre is running continuously through a 12h day shift.
As Plalite was already accustomed to using Heidenhain CNC on its earlier machining centres, the DMU50 is equipped Heidenhain iTNC 530 CNC.
Training Plalite's operators in using 5-axis machining was given at Plalite's Sittingbourne facility, a process that Cordell described as 'first class'.
"To be honest, the service we've had from DMG has been very good from the start," he added.
"Our sales representative almost takes a personal interest in our wellbeing.
Little touches like that go a long way".
* Buying VMCs - "When we bought the DMU50 I recall saying to the rep that if he could offer us a good deal and we liked the machine then we would stick with DMG - within six months we had ordered two DMC635V vertical machining centres (VMC)." The DMC635V VMC has an 8,000 rev/min spindle, 20-pocket tool magazine and a 30m/min axes fast traverse rate.
Cordell said that the recent DMG investments have helped push Plalite up the 'league table' of precision subcontract machining companies.
"These machines have certainly given us greater scope," he stated.
"We have invested in the latest technology to enable us to be more responsive to our customers needs and to provide assured quality at a good price.
It all helps the company progress in what has become a highly competitive sector.
The fact that we have the capability to supply quality components within tight timescales puts us in a strong market position".
* About Plalite - based in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK, the Plalite's 30 employees help generate a turnover in excess of GBP 2 million.
In just over three years the ISO9001 accredited company has invested around GBP 850,000 in machine tool technology.
During the next 12 months Plalite will relocate to a larger, purpose-built facility nearby.
Plalite was formed in 1968 as a prime contractor to the Ministry of Defence, designing and manufacturing a wide range of military equipment.
Darren Cordell, with his business partner, acquired the company as the result of a management buy-out three years ago.
Today, the core of the company's business remains similar, continuing to provide an efficient service to both the MoD and commercial engineering customers, across the defence and aerospace sectors.
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