Product category:
Horizontal machining centres (HMC)
News Release from: Heller Machine Tools | Subject: MC16 horizontal machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 November 2003
Exceptional engineering support sold M-C
The exceptional level of support provided by the supplier both in redesigning and modifying its fixtures, in engineering support convinced a heating company to buy its machining centre.
The exceptional level of support provided by the supplier both in redesigning and modifying its fixtures, in pre- and post- installation engineering support convinced a heating company to buy its machining centres "Given the build quality of the machine, the most important considerations when we purchased a new machiningentre were that we worked with a company manufacturing in the UK, so we could be assured of the level of service and support we required and that it could provide us with innovative design and engineering services" said Jon Williams Engineering Manager at Baxi Heating Ltd's Component Manufacturing Division
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Baxi, which has been supplying the world wide market from its site in Preston for 150 years, has traditionally manufactured the heat exchangers for its boilers using dedicated transfer lines.
Changes in the market meant that it needed to reconsider its production process in order to obtain greater flexibility.
Machining centres were the obvious choice, providing the ability to machine a much more diverse range of components and to handle lower volumes for those components.
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The requirement for a new machining centre at the Baxi plant in Preston developed when the company acquired its larger UK competitor Potterton.
In line with its policy of continual re-investment in its plant Baxi sought a machining centre which would provide versatility combined with fast cycle times as well as the power to machine cast iron and the spindle speed to machine aluminium efficiently and, where possible, without second operation work.
Having considered the options open to it, Baxi selected Heller as its partner in developing the production facility.
The choice initially was based on the build quality of the machine and its capabilities but, Williams said, the final decision was made because of the exceptional level of support which Heller could provide both in redesigning and modifying its fixtures, in pre- and post- installation engineering support and - because Heller manufacture in the UK - the assured ability of the company to provide spares and service at virtually a moment's notice.
"Prior to making a final commitment to a manufacturer, we visited Heller at its premises in Redditch.
We were very impressed with the clean and efficient way the machines were being built which reassured us of Heller's commitment to quality.
In other machines, quality machines equals better machine uptime and production supply guarantees" Williams said.
"Most of all we were impressed with its ability, and willingness, to help us with our fixtures and tooling.
Where other companies are prepared to manage the project, Heller undertake all the work themselves.
Not only does the company provide a design capability for fixtures, it is provided by design engineers intimate with the machines and what can and cannot be achieved.
For example, we wanted to retain our existing fixtures design scheme but it would not fit into the standard Heller MC16 pallet/machine envelope, but working with Heller fixture design engineers we were able to maintain the fixture concept and machining efficiency we wanted.
Their design engineers knew exactly what we could do to bring the system together in the most efficient and cost effective way.
A further, and significant, advantage was that our maintenance engineers were able to work with Heller engineers at their site whilst the machine was in-build.
That means our men are more familiar with the machine than they otherwise could be, so their job is much easier, but more importantly they know the engineers at Heller so should they need assistance they simply phone through to someone they already know.
That is a big bonus".
Baxi selected the Heller MC16 horizontal machining centre because it gave excellent cycle times due to the rapid traverse rates (40m/min) and the minimal chip-to-chip times (3.8 sec), the construction and general build quality of the machine was robust, and the swarf management was impressive.
Control is the Siemens Sinumerik 840D.
"The machine has been fantastic" Jon Williams said.
"We were able to buy the machine within the budget, and obtained the fixtures within that cost, and have cycle times even better than we had hoped for.
The swarf management system is the best we have seen.
On the strength of the machine and the company's performance we would strongly consider using Heller when we next have a requirement". Request a free brochure from Heller Machine Tools ...
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