Product category:
Horizontal machining centres (HMC)
News Release from: Heller Machine Tools | Subject: MC16.2 machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 November 2002
Subcontractor gets machine in just three
weeks
A machining centre was customised and built in just three weeks for J L French, a first tier subcontractor to the automotive industry.
Heller Machine Tools has built an MC16.2 machining centre in just three weeks for J L French, first tier subcontractors to the automotive industry The machine will be in full production within six weeks of J L French first placing the order
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Commitment to supporting the customer and responding quickly to their needs is paramount to success" says Geoff Lloyd, MD of Heller.
"We ensure that we have the resources to do that".
He continued "As J L French were negotiating with us to purchase machines for a new project it became apparent that they needed to increase the production volumes for an engine bracket that they were machining.
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J L French approached us to see if we could supply a machine quickly.
On analysis, we realized that it was not only the machine that they needed but the fixture also needed modifying and refurbishing to give them the required quality of part.
J L French placed a contract with Heller to supply full production on this machine within six weeks of order".
Heller engineers developed the machine package specifically for the application.
The machine was built in only three weeks (less than half normal build time) and will be installed, commissioned and in full production in less than six weeks from receipt of order.
J L French selected the MC16.2 for its fast acceleration, positioning accuracy and reduced cycle time.
Rapid traverse is 90m/min, acceleration 12m/s2 and chip to chip time 1.8secs, the tool magazine takes 40 tools.
The fast cycle times are complemented by a rigid and robust bed and column design which enables very high tolerances to be met and maintained.
Fixture manufacturers Brown and Holmes worked with Heller's design department to refurbish and modify the fixtures to gain the benefit of the Heller programmable hydraulic system within three weeks.
Further mechanical improvements were made to the fixture mechanism at Heller's factory by Heller engineers to ensure better part loading for the French engineers.
Tooling modifications were made to improve the machining process.
Whilst the machine was in-build, French's personnel worked at the Heller factory to be fully trained on the machine and the process before the machine was supplied.
A normal practice at Heller, it ensures that customers' engineers are fully conversant with the machine in all its aspects and, perhaps more importantly, enables them to develop the personal relationships which will ensure easy and comfortable operation of the machine in the future.
"Heller will be able to ship the machine a week ahead of time and provide J L French with full production within the six weeks as promised, and have been able to improve their machining process.
This exemplifies the drive in Heller to support its customers not only with the simple tasks but also when our customers have production problems to be able to provide machine, skilled engineering, fixture, tooling solutions" Geoff Lloyd said. Request a free brochure from Heller Machine Tools ...
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 6 November 2002).
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