Dedicated prototyping and precision machining

Citation

(2006), "Dedicated prototyping and precision machining", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778cab.006

Dedicated prototyping and precision machining

Dedicated prototyping and precision machining

Keywords: Precision engineering, Aircraft component

Key to expansion of its dedicated prototyping and precision machining of small batches of aluminium components is the purchase by Hemlock Engineering of Stapleford, Nottingham, of a £300,000 Mikron XSM 600U universal five-axis machining centre with 36,000 revs/min high speed spindle and a 10 pallet system.

Says Managing Director Paul Cobb: “We have invested heavily and structured this service around a fast response team of seven specialist engineers to provide a design for machining consultancy. The idea is to apply their in-depth machining knowledge to work with customers to engineer prototype projects with the backing of 25 skilled production machinists to cater for pre-production and larger production quantities”.

The target markets are aerospace, autosport, computer and printer sectors and to provide design houses with a high technology machining facility backed by high levels of production expertise. Amongst the team is a resident 3-D modelling specialist using SolidWorks CADCAM software and able to accept ProENGINEER, Catia and Unigraphics files. Within the dedicated CMC machine shop are 13 Haas VF2 SS vertical machining centres with 12,000 revs/min spindles and up to four-axes capability. There are two larger Haas VF3 vertical machining centres and a Kitamura H200 horizontal machining centre with a 100 tool magazine.

Typical projects undertaken so far include autosport suspension systems, valves and sumps, foot rest kits and gear change assemblies for which, most are machined out of solid aluminium and special development projects for printer and packaging industries.

Here, the new Mikron with its 800 mm in X, 600 mm in Y and 500 mm in Z capacity and a full five-axis capability via a built-in trunnion under Heidenhain control has a high data processing capability and is able to automatically adjust the dynamic parameters of the machine to suit the application.

Explains Paul Cobb: “This five-axis machine enables us to fully automate very complex machining operations, take full advantage of single cycle machining giving excellent geometric relationship of features. It will also dramatically reduce delivery lead times for customers. In fact with this machine we reckon to cut our normal lead times by half”. Hemlock Engineering is also providing a sub assembly service to customers.

Details available from: Hemlock Engineering Ltd, Tel: +44 (0)115 9393305, web site: www.five-axis.co.uk