Product category:
Vertical machining centres (VMC)
News Release from: Matchmaker M/C | Subject: Low cost Matchmaker vertical machining centres
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 September 2002
Making a new match for vertical
machining centres
A new range of low cost vertical machining centres revives a machine tool brand name offering quality, reliability and value for money.
Matchmaker Machine Tools was well known in the '70s and '80s for supplying a range of reliable and affordable CNC mills and machining centres While the name disappeared when the company became part of the worldwide Yamazen distribution group, the Matchmaker brand is back! For Yamazen (UK) has just launched a brand new series of vertical machining centres under this banner
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Jan 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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While many machines on the market described as 'mini mills' are just mill/tap centres, a subcontractor says that its 'mini-mill' is a powerful three axis vertical machining centre.
Compact VMC offered at affordable UK price
A 'mini-mill' vertical machining centre offers small footprint (1850 x 1850mm), large capacity (610 x 305 x 460mm) and affordable price in the UK (at just GBP 24,950).
Yamazen's managing director Colin Donhue explained the thinking here.
"The Matchmaker name is still recognised in manufacturing circles and a number of our existing CNC machines actually remain in service.
So when we decided to introduce a new range of low cost VMCs what better name than Matchmaker? For these machines encompass all the attributes which made our initial models so successful, namely quality, reliability and value for money.
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Samsung Lathe helps Subcontractor Widen Horizons
With the aid of a Samsung CNC lathe, supplied by Yamazen (UK), a Kirkcaldy-based subcontractor has been able to secure an increasing amount of work from the oil industry.
Compact 'mini mill' VMC offers larger X-axis
While still saving space, 'mini-mill' CNC milling machines are getting bigger - as shown by the introduction of a compact vertical machining centre equipped with an X-axis travel of 610mm.
They also incorporate all the very latest features engineers expect from modern machining centres." Two machines are being launched - the Matchmaker 820 VMC and the Matchmaker 1100 VMC.
Both are constructed around large box ways with heavy-duty, anti-flexing and vibration absorbing ribs cast into the main elements.
With fast and reliable tool changing, 8000 rev/min cartridge spindles, Fanuc control, a swarf conveyor, a special spindle chiller, roll-out coolant tank and an oil cooling system; these models combine a high quality and rigid build structure with impressive metal cutting performance and positioning accuracy.
They also offer larger working envelopes than many comparable machines on the market.
Yet in true Matchmaker style, these models represent good value for money.
With axis travels of 820 (X) by 460 (Y) by 500mm (Z), the Matchmaker 820 VMC sells for just GBP 28,200.
While the larger Matchmaker 1100 VMC has an envelope of 1100 by 550 by 600mm and is priced at GBP 34,900.
The solid cast iron construction of these machines combined with hardened and ground slideways, anti-friction coatings, double-anchored ballscrews and automatic lubrication ensures durable performance and stability under varied production conditions.
While the special spindle chiller system (supplied as standard with both machines) minimises the effects of the heat generated during metal cutting.
Other brief specifications of the 820 VMC include a 965 by 460mm work table (for loads up to 400kg), 11kW spindle drive motor, 16-station ATC, 15m/min rapid traverses and a BT-40 spindle.
Whereas the 1100 VMC has a 1300 by 520mm work table, (accommodating parts weighing up to 1000kg), a 15kW spindle drive and a 20-station ATC which can store tools up to 100mm diameter.
Yamazen (UK) already offers top level machines from the likes of Mitsubishi and Tsugami and mid-range products from such companies as Fadal and Samsung.
Now, with the introduction of the low cost Matchmaker series of VMCs, it has a complete portfolio of production equipment to suit all tastes and budgets.
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 24 September 2002).
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