Product category:
CNC turning centres, mill/turning, multi-tasking centres, horizontal and VTLs.
News Release from: Mori Seiki UK | Subject: Mori Seiki NL1500 lathe
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 September 2005
One-hit turning frees machining centre
The C-axis on a turning centre frees a machining centre for pure milling jobs and so eliminates resetting, allowing many parts to be cut and finished in one hit.
Approximately six years ago Mr Patel formed Acorn Precision Components, starting with a used machining centre and lathe Success in the highly competitive subcontracting sector enabled the Uxbridge based company to grow to four employees and to invest in new equipment
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Acorn specialises in the motorsport industry, supplying engine parts to companies in F1, World Rally Cars and Moto GP.
Additionally, it produces components for motor boats and parts for educational and research establishments.
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Turning accounts for more than 50% of its work.
The choice of lathe from Pollard was based on Patel's experience of using a Mori Seiki with a past employer.
He said, "The machine I used was about 14 years old, still produced accurate parts and just did not break down, it was extraordinarily reliable." He continued, "Long term reliability is important to us".
"We looked at numerous machines which were cheaper, but we wanted to be sure that we would still be making accurate parts in 5 years time." Most of the parts manufactured by Acorn are within the 2in range with tolerances of around 10 microns.
"We are keeping the second hand Japanese lathe we purchased when the company was formed".
"Although it is 15 years old it still produces accurate parts, further confirming our confidence in Japanese machine tools." The C-axis on the NL1500 has proved to be a significant advantage.
30% of the parts manufactured benefit from it, freeing the machining centre for pure milling jobs and eliminating resetting, allowing many parts to be cut and finished in one hit.
Pollard supplied the Mori Seiki with a bar feed and a chuck to suit the range of components.
Patel said, " Changing chucks takes a maximum of ten minutes, I am sure I could do it in five if I tried." The high clamping force has also encouraged faster machining".
""We are able to utilise existing programs on the NL1500 with the minimum of editing".
"We have doubled the spindle speeds we were using, and consequently the feeds are much faster".
"Furthermore, we can take bigger cuts without worrying about the security of clamping".
"Cycle times are about 20% quicker." The rigidity of the machine has contributed significantly to the quality of the finished parts.
Patel commented, "The tolerances and finish, which are our top priorities, are greatly improved and we can also cut long slender and delicate parts without the need for a tailstock".
"This is crucial as using a tailstock makes access for machining more difficult and lengthens the cycle time." Acorn is also seeing improvements in tool life which it is attributing to a combination of the rigidity of the machine and the high pressure coolant at the tool tip.
It also finds it easier to achieve clean chipping of the swarf.
Evacuating the swarf effectively avoids unnecessary delays for swarf clearance and has a positive impact on product quality.
Acorn has been pleased with the service received from Pollard.
Patel said, "We are extremely happy with the machine".
"It has proved to be completely reliable".
"When we requested adjustments to the parts catcher, Pollard engineers were here the next day." The savings produced by less setting, shorter cycle times, faster rapid travel and deeper cuts has helped Acorn to provide a speedier turnaround for its customers.
Delivery is usually expected within 2-3 days, but can now be achieved next day.
The machine has provided additional capacity, giving Acorn the opportunity to service its existing clients more effectively as well as expanding its customer base.
Patel concluded, "We are in a very competitive business, being able to reduce delivery times allows our customers to make savings by reducing their stock levels".
"Designs in motorsport change frequently, the ability to source exactly the required quantity of each component, without delay, makes a lot of difference to them". Request a free brochure from Mori Seiki UK ...
"Additionally, efficiency improvements from the NL1500 have enabled us to pass on some worthwhile cost savings.".
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