Trio of vertical machining centres increases capacity and improves cycle times

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The investment by Sheet Metal Precision (SMP) in a trio of vertical machining centres from T W Ward CNC Machinery is paying dividends for the Hampshire-based specialist supplier of custom manufacturing solutions.

Investment in a trio of vertical machining centres from T W Ward CNC Machinery is paying dividends for Sheet Metal Precision (SMP), a Hampshire-based specialist supplier of custom manufacturing solutions.

“In one instance, our use of a new Hartford Super HCMC 1892 vertical machining centre, for example, has halved cycle times on an aerospace part,” said general manager Jim Livermore.

“The faster speeds and feeds of all these new machines – purchased to complement a large-capacity milling machine and an overloaded pair of older vertical machining centres (VMCs) – when coupled with the correct tooling (Dormer indexable drills with replaceable tips), has brought such dramatic reductions in machining times on the 316 stainless steel workpieces,” he continued.

Measuring approximately 500mm diameter by 30mm thick, the ‘rings’ are produced in batches of 20 to 30 off and are initially turned before being set-up on the VMC.

Livermore added: “These parts used to take between three to three-and-a-half hours to machine but are now completed in half the time by the Hartford.”

The HCMC 1892 was supplied in 2016 as a two-machine package along with a Hyundai Wia F500 Plus vertical machining centre by T W Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC), which represents both machine ranges as exclusive UK and Ireland agent.

It was the success of these machines – and of Ward CNC’s back-up and service levels – that prompted further investment in a Hyundai Wia 650 Plus vertical machining centre.

Livermore said: “The need to invest in further machining capacity became obvious when our existing large-capacity milling machine – which accommodates castings up to one metre³ - and the two smaller VMCs, one with a rotary fourth axis, were seriously overloaded in machining components to meet the demands of our customers throughout the aerospace, scientific research and special-purpose machinery industries, for example, as well as agricultural and general commercial industries.”

Operating six days a week with 16 employees, SMP provides machined parts as well as sheet metalwork and welded fabrications of all sizes – from small components through to larger parts and fabrications weighing up to seven tonnes. These range from one-offs and prototypes through to large batches.

www.wardcnc.com

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