Broanmain Plastics' Hurco VM10i vertical
machining centre is now part of its
in-house toolroom facility
or one-off commissions for jewellery and
even vintage cars and motorcycles.”
This additional work has come about due
to the relationship between Techgrave and
XYZ Machine Tools, with the Birminghambased
company happy for potential XYZ
customers to visit and see the machines in
action. This potentially leads to new work,
which may only be short-term while a
customer places an order for a new XYZ
machine. That situation suits Techgrave’s
founders down to the ground. “Our
philosophy with toolroom work that we take
in for customers is that it may be a one-off
or irregular work, but we are building
relationships, this has proved a route to
growth as customers respond positively to
our service and attitude,” Adams says.
Tackling a wide variety of work, not only
for its own production but subcontract
machining customers, is a key issue. It is
the versatility of the XYZ machines that is
highlighted, particularly the control systems.
The ease of use of the ProtoTRAK and
Siemens controls makes them ideal for the
quick turnround of one-off and low-volume
production, with all programs for the lathe
quickly and easily created at the ProtoTRAK
control, while a combination of at-machine
programming and of ine programming is
used for the Siemens-controlled MiniMill
560. Says Evitts: “It is here that the XYZ
machines come into their own, as we don’t
know what is coming in from day to day.”
At a technical trade moulder, investment
in machining technology is allowing the
company to bring further control to its
projects. Broanmain Plastics has installed a
Hurco VM10i vertical machining centre (660
by 406 by 508 mm; X, Y, Z) with 10,00 rpm
spindle plus Renishaw ( www.is.gd/xaquje )
TS27R tool setting and OMP400 part probe.
With this latest purchase, and combined
with a recently installed Eurospark
( www.is.gd/ulokaw ) EDM spark eroder, the
Broanmain tool shop now has a full arsenal
of equipment at its ngertips to undertake
complex projects, test customers’
prototypes and take on repeat technical
mouldings.
Justi cation for the Hurco VM10i
( www.is.gd/ahujuy ) came after Broanmain
won a contract to supply a local OEM of
high-end spectroscopy tools. In fact the
same client recently named Broanmain as
its Supplier of the Year, as a result of the
moulder’s exible approach.
Rather than outsource the CNC milling
process, which is commonplace, Broanmain
now manages every aspect of production.
Operations director Jo Davis explains:
“It means that one team is accountable for
an entire project, from moulding right
through to rapid prototyping and milling
precise elements into a part.
“Not only is this in-house approach more
customer-centric, from a quality control
perspective it’s easier to manage and more
responsive. It gives us the exibility to
undertake a wider variety of projects. Plus,
the company can handle materials ranging
from polymer to copper, aluminium and
other metals, meaning we can now repair
and even prototype mould tools in house.”
It was tool shop apprentice and CNC
machinist Kamil Stec who campaigned for
the CNC mill, researching and gathering
evidence for a business proposal. Although
the company had a manual mill, which it
continues to use for quick projects like
drilling and facing, the bene ts of
automating the process were clearly evident.
Says Stec: “In addition to cost savings,
the mill is especially adept at making
complex cuts into smaller components, such
as copper electrodes.” The spark eroder
complements milling, undertaking tasks for
which milling is not suited.
TOOL, MOULD & DIE MAKING TOOLED UP FOR WORK
3D-printed mould tools deliver sliding-duty parts
Igus has integrated its Print2Mould process
in its online 3D-printing service, allowing for
the printing of mould tools for the
production of parts made from any of its 55
iglidur materials that support sliding
surface duties. Users simply upload the
STEP le of the part into the 3D-printing
service ( www.igus.co.uk/iglidur-designer ),
select the material and request a
quotation. Speci cations on the material
properties, as well as the precision, exural
strength and the price help with the choice.
The injection-moulded special solutions are
delivered after 10 working days.
Igus – Customers can upload part
designs for 3D-printing of mould tools
that produce injection-moulded parts
30 September 2020 | www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets
/xaquje
/ulokaw
/ahujuy
/iglidur-designer
/www.machinery.co.uk