Product category:
Subcontract machining and assembly services
News Release from: Hemlock Engineering | Subject: %-axis machining capability
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 January 2006
Subcontractor invests in precision
machining
Key to expansion of its dedicated prototyping and precision machining of small batches of aluminium components is the purchase of a GBP 300,000 Mikron XSM 600U universal five-axis machining centre.
Key to expansion of its dedicated prototyping and precision machining of small batches of aluminium components is the purchase by Hemlock Engineering of Stapleford, Nottingham, of a GBP 300,000 Mikron XSM 600U universal five-axis machining centre with 36,000 revs/min high speed spindle and a 10 pallet system Says managing director Paul Cobb: "We have invested heavily and structured this service around a fast response team of seven specialist engineers to provide a design for machining consultancy
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Aluminium base plates machined at high speeds
Aluminium base plates and face plates having high degrees of flatness and parallelism are high speed machined and used in a wide range of products such as mould plates and printer frames.
The idea is to apply their in-depth machining knowledge to work with customers to engineer prototype projects with the backing of 25 skilled production machinists to cater for pre-production and larger production quantities." The target markets are autosport, aerospace, computer and printer sectors and to provide design houses with a high technology machining facility backed by high levels of production expertise.
Amongst the team is a resident 3D modelling specialist using SolidWorks CADCAM software and able to accept ProENGINEER, Catia and Unigraphics files.
Within the dedicated CNC machine shop are 13 Haas VF2 SS vertical machining centres with 12,000 rev/min spindles and up to four-axes capability.
There are two larger Haas VF3 vertical machining centres and a Kitamura H200 horizontal machining centre with a 100 tool magazine.
Typical projects undertaken so far include autosport suspension systems, valves and sumps, foot rest kits and gear change assemblies for which, most are machined out of solid aluminium and special development projects for printer and packaging industries.
Here, the new Mikron with its 800mm in X, 600mm in Y and 500mm in Z capacity and a full five-axis capability via a built-in trunnion under Heidenhain control has a high data processing capability and is able to automatically adjust the dynamic parameters of the machine to suit the application.
Explains Cobb: "This five-axis machine enables us to fully automate very complex machining operations, take full advantage of single cycle machining giving excellent geometric relationship of features.
It will also dramatically reduce delivery lead times for customers.
In fact, with this machine, we reckon to cut our normal lead times by half." Hemlock Engineering is also providing a sub assembly service to customers.
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