Product category:
Miscellaneous machine tools, gear cutting machines and equipment
News Release from: TW Ward CNC Machinery | Subject: Vertical boring and turning machine
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 July 2005
VTL mills and drills to finish in 'one
hit'
Previously around 75% of a subcontract machine shop's jobs would require a second operation of drilling or milling, but with a new VTL the company can now complete jobs in 'one hit'.
When the three directors of sub-contract machinists Summerfield Engineering saw a used Toshulin SKIQ12 vertical boring and turning machine demonstrated at the Sheffield, UK, showrooms of Ward CNC, they were so impressed they moved quickly to clinch the deal Now the machine is installed at Summerfield Engineering's premises at Alfreton (Derbyshire) they are pleased that they purchased the machine since the biggest saving the machine affords is the elimination of second operation work, such as milling and drilling
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Previously around 75% of our jobs would require a second operation of drilling or milling, but with the Toshulin we can complete jobs in one hit, saving an extra set-up time of up to one hour per component on larger jobs," says director Scott Summerfield.
Summerfield Engineering has been a specialist supplier of medium to large components to the mineral sizing, crushing, petrochemical, ball bearing and silicon wafer sectors for nearly 40 years.
Twelve months ago the family business was bought out by three brothers from the second generation, and one of the first tasks for the new directors was to source a CNC vertical boring machine.
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"We had a CNC vertical borer but it was constantly overloaded; also, the machine could not perform second operation work such as milling and drilling".
"Coupled with the fact that we could see more contracts on the horizon, we realised there would soon be a problem if action was not taken," says Summerfield.
The company began to look at various secondhand VTLs including the SKIQ12 at Ward CNC, the sole UK agent for Toshulin.
With a table diameter of 1250mm and a maximum turning diameter of 1400mm, complemented by 40kW main spindle producing 2.5 to 550 rev/min and a 23kW live spindle with a maximum speed of 3,300 rev/min, the machine specification also included a 15-station ATC and independent four-jaw hydraulic chuck.
"It was over-specified for our needs - in particular, we really did not think we would use the live milling spindle - but when such a machine becomes available you have to see it".
"Companies tend to keep hold of their Toshulins - secondhand models are not available very often." Following turning and live spindle demonstrations, Summerfield Engineering's directors were impressed".
""You could not fault the machine's repeatability and accuracy - it was superb and it would comfortably enable us to meet our tolerances of 0.02mm on components that are frequently over 1000mm diameter and weigh in excess of 2.5 tonnes".
"Also, we found the layout of the machine is excellent for operator access and speed of use".
"It is a well-engineered product with a large capacity for its size, and it came with many features, including three-stage high pressure coolant and a Renishaw probe".
"The live milling spindle has proved indispensable, we use it on almost every job we load on the machine." Typical among these are large forgings, castings and fabrications with turned, bored and milled features.
A batch of 40 to 50 is considered fairly substantial".
""The Toshulin was not the cheapest option open to us, but it was impressive and so we took a risk - and it paid off," Summerfield concludes".
""It has safeguarded our future competitiveness, especially in terms of overseas business which accounts for around 80% of our production.".
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