MACHINING CENTRES PARTNERS IN PRODUCTION
with DMG Mori that involves machine tools,
technical support, training and contacts is
bringing a step-change to the rm.
Aerospace and defence sectors account
for 70% of BT Lerson’s work, but it also
serves the oil and gas, and pharmaceutical
industries. Started in 1980, it made the
move into CNC in the early 2000s and
changed its business model to concentrate
on higher value parts in 2010, achieving
AS9100 status in 2014.
The company’s rst 5-axis DMG Mori
(www.is.gd/elalut) machine, a DMU 50, was
purchased pre-owned and refurbished by
DMG Mori. Collaborating with DMG Mori
helped BT Lerson get to grips with 5-axis
technology. Marking the start of the
partnership, this rst machine was soon
followed by a DMU 40 Evo with Erowa
automation (REM Systems, www.is.gd/
exegoc) in 2014, DMU 60 Evo linear with 3R
automation (GF Machining Solutions,
www.is.gd/zuredi) in 2016 and two NLX
2500/700 in 2018 and 2019. Julian
Bedford, managing director at BT Lerson,
says: “Five-axis technology is more
demanding and it was a big learning curve
for us, but we soon saw the bene ts of the
investments as cycle times were slashed
and product quality increased dramatically.
We also recognised the need for automation,
to enable us to get more from the machines,
people and skills that we have.”
DMG Mori supplied turnkey automated
systems. Bedford again: “We were early
adopters of automation and the cost was
easily recovered within two years. If we had
not invested, we would have needed three
conventional machines to produce the same
output, with all the implications of extra
labour, much more oor space and more
work in progress. Going forward, we now
consider that automation is essential.”
The monitored automated machines run at
over 90% OEE, the company reports.
The 3R system has 60 pallets and the
Erowa system has up to 24 pallets. BT
Lerson sets up a series of different jobs to
match demand. It also sets up sister tooling
where long machining times are called for
and uses the DMG Mori tool life
management capability to switch tools
automatically, enabling the machines to run
unmanned for most of the time.
All the DMG Mori machines are covered
by a ve-year service and preventative
maintenance plan, and the company is
planning to extend it to other machinery in
the factory. BT Lerson also used DMG Mori
nance for the NLX machines. Explains the
managing director: “The nance was very
competitive and exible, with many
favourable options, such as deferred
payments and balloon payments.”
Formerly BTL Precision, BT Lerson
acquired Lerson Fabrications, which is a
preferred supplier to Stansted Airport and its
supply chain, and moved to its new location
DMG Mori and BT Lerson are
partners in productivity
at the end of 2019.
Concludes Bedford: “Working in
partnership with DMG Mori has de nitely led
to new business and is enabling us to
reinforce long-term relationships with our
customers. A strategy of collaboration and
cooperation at all levels of the business,
combined with technical excellence from
DMG Mori, has transformed how we
operate.”
Industry & product news in brief
A signi cant resurgence in interest in Mills CNC’s ‘SMART
Options’ machine tool rental initiative among UK and Irish
manufacturers is reported, following the Covid-19 outbreak.
www.is.gd/wafuzi
XYZ Machine Tools has responded to a request for a 1,000 mm
increase in the Z-axis on one of its vertical machining centres.
www.is.gd/iyequl
To help companies boost capacity without investing in a
purchase outright, Kingsbury UK has introduced a Flexible Asset
Rental programme. www.is.gd/lahere
The Leadwell BC-600 is a 5-axis machining centre having travels
in X, Y and Z of 1,100, 1,100 and 610 mm, respectively.
www.is.gd/ekaboy
Exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and
Ireland Mills CNC has introduced two new Doosan 5-axis
machining centres. www.is.gd/wadere
The newly developed Haas Mill APL (Automatic Parts Loader) is
a simple way to automate part production on small VF-series
vertical machining centres. www.is.gd/buyini
Yamazaki Mazak has underlined its commitment to the British
machine tool industry with the launch of its latest fully
simultaneous 5-axis machining centre – the CV5-500.
www.is.gd/yezala
Following a re-structuring of the sales division at South Coast
machine tool specialist Dugard Machine Tools, the company has
added six new employees over the last 18 months, the last two
taken on in recent weeks. www.is.gd/izudiv
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in
the UK and Ireland, has appointed Richard Wilson as its business
manager for the Central and Southern region. www.is.gd/vasole
Starrag UK has bolstered its nationwide sales team with the
appointment of Phil Roberts as sales manager. www.is.gd/oyakuy
www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets | May/June2020 23
/elalut)
/
/zuredi)
/wafuzi
/iyequl
/lahere
/ekaboy
/wadere
/buyini
/yezala
/izudiv
/vasole
/oyakuy
/www.machinery.co.uk