Product category:
Milling, boring and routing machines - manual and CNC
News Release from: XYZ Machine Tools | Subject: Manual and CNC machine tools - IPE
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 November 2007
Reliability record determines machine
tool choice
For its training centre, a specialised subcontractor chose new manual and CNC machine tools based on their reliability record and their suitability for training and health and safety requirements.
Operating specialised engineering sub-contracting services within the Ipeco Holdings group, IPE and its chief executive, Steve Johnson drove the setting up of a well-equipped training centre in 2005 It was Johnson's decision that new machine tools should be sourced for the centre
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Group personnel manager, Dawn Highstead, said: "The new training facility demonstrates our commitment to providing the engineering skills that will be needed to meet the long-term demands of our customers.
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Ipeco believes in growing its own talent and the Group Training Centre is key to achieving this objective.
It supports the entire resource of the Ipeco group by delivering a diverse portfolio of seminars, courses and other related activities tailored to the group's requirements while also acting as the hub of the in-house apprenticeship programme.
This year, for instance, we have recruited 20 new engineering apprentices, compared with 14 in 2006 and seven in 2005".
To equip the new training centre Highstead involved Arthur Blake, Training Centre Support supervisor, and John Story, Apprenticeship co-ordinator, supported by apprentice instructors Trevor Dorrington and Steve Emery.
According to Blake, the decision to install the XYZ machines was based on the following.
* Reliability record of existing XYZ production machines.
* The suitability of the machines from the training and health and safety perspectives.
* The price/performance ratio of the products.
Story commented: "We opted initially for four XYZ manual turret mills and four XYZ manual trainer lathes.
However, reflecting the year-on-year increases in the number of first-year apprentices, we needed more machines and also decided to introduce a CNC capability.
It was at this point that we asked our apprentices to present their suggestions for the final layout of the training area.
The result of this initiative has been to split the training area into three distinct sections - turning, milling and assembly - with the emphasis on safety and a clean and tidy working environment".
Most of the machine tools are DRO-equipped XYZ Trainer lathes (3HP/330mm swing over bed, 1000mm between centres) and DRO-equipped XYZ 1500 manual turret millers (3HP variable speed, 1066mm x 228mm table).
The training centre also chose two manual/CNC turret mills.
These are the 3HP, 75-4200 rev/min XYZ SM 1500 and XYZ SMX 1500 millers.
They have the ProtoTRAK control system developed for one-off and small batch production.
This means, said XYZ to manufacturingtalk.com, that they are ideally suited to introducing inexperienced users to CNC programming and the safe operation of computer-controlled machine tools.
Blake explained that any new recruits to the Modern Apprenticeship spend their first year in the Group Training Centre.
There, they are taught the basics of engineering and work up to NVQ Level 2.
Over the next three years they then move to other placements within the company.
The idea is to add to their engineering knowledge and increase understanding of the high standards that support the Ipeco group's continuous improvement programme.
* About IPE - the company was founded in 1961 by Allan Johnson as a small sub-contract machine shop producing precision parts for the UK's defence and aerospace industries.
The company is accredited to BS EN ISO 9001.
Eventually IPE became the manufacturing division within the Ipeco Holdings group of engineering companies.
Today, IPE provides specialised engineering sub-contracting services.
For example, IPE has wide experience in salt bath brazing of aluminium structures.
The company, said XYZ to manufacturingtalk.com, offers extensive machining, sheet metal and fabrication facilities.
The Ipeco group is an acknowledged world leader in the design and manufacture of aircraft seating and aircraft galley equipment.
Ipeco is one of the biggest employers in the Southend area having over 600 employees.
Steve Johnson is the third generation of the family to take control of the privately-owned business.
As chief executive, he has expanded the group's support for the training of engineering apprentices.
The Group Training Centre is accredited to NVQ and City and Guilds, and continues to take a keen interest in its development. Request a free brochure from XYZ Machine Tools ...
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