Product category:
Vertical machining centres (VMC)
News Release from: XYZ Machine Tools | Subject: Mini Mill 560 compact vertical machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 August 2007
CNC machine tools expand subcontracting
service
Sheet metal fabricator is expanding into a wider range of services, having purchased a 'job shop' package of manual/CNC turret mill and manual/CNClathe and, latterly, VMCs.
As well as changing its name to Swift Precision, a three year old, seven-man, UK sheet metal fabricator is also providing a precision machined components service The initial investment on the machining side of the Pinxton, Nottinghamshire, business was a 'job shop' package of manual/CNC ProtoTRAK turret mill and manual/CNC ProTURN lathe supplied by XYZ Machine Tools of Burlescombe, Devon
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Having approached existing customers to see if they would support this investment, founder and managing director, Nicolas Smith, said that he was aware that there were no guarantees but he was confident that the move into precision machining would attract sufficient work to make it a worthwhile diversification.
"In fact, we just got busier and busier," he added, "So much so that it seemed a natural progression to install an XYZ Mini Mill 560 compact vertical machining centre and then two XYZ Mini Mill 450 VMCs." To satisfy virtually its entire current prismatic machining requirement, Swift Precision chose the 13HP, 8000 rev/min Mini Mill 560 on the basis of its 560mm (X) by 400mm (Y) by 500mm (Z) work envelope.
Swift Precision's subsequent choice of two smaller 9HP/8000 rev/min Mini Mill 450s was on the basis that their 450mm (X) by 310mm (Y) by 380mm (Z) work envelope covers the majority of that requirement.
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Value for money CNC machine tool specialist, XYZ Machine Tools in Devon, has expanded its range of CNC lathes with the introduction of the Vulcan series of turning centres.
Airbus UK chooses new CNC machine tools
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Affordable machines are easy to program
XYZ Machine Tools will be highlighting examples from its range of affordable and easy to program CNC machine tools at Tooling 2001 on Stand 1162.
Note that the machines occupy floor space as they required only 1600mm by 1800mm.
A response to Swit Precision customer requests for an even smaller, low cost, VMC, the XYZ Mini Mill 450 features a solid cast construction and weighs 2200kg.
Its box slides are induction hardened, ground and Turcite-coated to ensure smooth running and it is equipped with a 530mm by 320mm table, BT40 spindle nose, 10-position tool magazine, auto lubrication and flood coolant.
All three Mini Mill machines are equipped with the XYZ CNC7 control, which can be configured to match existing skills.
This is particularly helpful to 'first time' CNC users who may otherwise be overwhelmed by CNC language, features and screen displays.
The full-colour graphics displayed on the high-resolution LCD screen allow verification of tool path and part program prior to commencing machining, with operator confidence guaranteed by the synchronised display between the graphics and machine movement.
There is also no discrepancy between what appears on the screen and what the machine actually does when the program runs.
And there are other safeguards, including the following a 'mid-program start' feature that allows a program to be verified graphically up to the point where machining should recommence.
At this point the operator can then switch over to 'run' mode.
"The CNC7 is a cracking control and we get on with it really well," said Smith.
"It's hard to recruit skilled people because of the intense competition in this area, so we have to train our own people and that's why we opted for a basic, easy-to-use, CNC system that does everything we need it to do".
He continued: "If you can provide a quality job in sheet metal, then there is no reason why you cannot do the same for machined components.
Because of my background in fabrication I set up this business to do more of the same but quickly realised that the companies we were working for also had a precision machining requirement".
"So why not do both? And why not do more? So now, in addition to laser profiling, forming and CNC milling and turning, we are happy to source a variety of surface coatings and heat treatments and to carry out mechanical and electrical assembly and test where required".
* About Swift Precision - Swift Precision is a GBP 0.5 million turnover business but Smith is aiming to at least double that figure within the next three years.
"I'm an optimist," he said, "And I believe that the sky's the limit. Request a free brochure from XYZ Machine Tools ...
The key is to be flexible, to focus on quality, and to offer a fast response.".
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