With C and Y axes plus 12 driven tools, a twin-spindle CNC slant bed lathe has X, Y, Z axes travels of 245mm, 160mm and 710mm, as well as 710mm travel in the B axis (right-hand spindle).
The comprehensive range of turning machines offered exclusively in the UK by Ward CNC of Sheffield includes a series of high-specification yet cost-competitive Takisawa Taiwan lathes with functionality and specifications that illustrate how the machines offer 'Japanese quality at Taiwanese prices'. Takisawa Taiwan machines utilise a special one-piece, thermally balanced bed that promotes powerful and stable operation, coupled with four-track super rigid precision linear guideways and high-speed servo turrets. Fanuc 18i or 21iT CNC feature as standard, incorporating the user-friendly Manual Guide i programming functionality.

With C and Y axes plus 12 driven tools, the Takisawa Taiwan EX-910 twin-spindle CNC slant bed lathe has X, Y, Z axes travels of 245mm, 160mm and 710mm, as well as 710mm travel in the B axis (right-hand spindle).

It features full C axis capability on both spindles, and accommodates bar capacities of 75mm and 52mm (left- and right-hand spindles, respectively) to complement maximum turning diameter and length capabilities of 340mm and 660mm.

Both left- and right-hand spindles incorporate oil-cooled Fanuc built-in motor providing exceptional performance for turning and C-axis operations.

Swing over the bed is 680mm, chuck size is 255mm on both spindles, and spindle speeds are up to 3,500 rev/min from the 22/18.5kW motors on both spindles.

Driven tool speed is 4000 rev/min from a 5.5kW motor.

Rapid traverse rates are 24m/min.

As standard, the machine is supplied with auto tool setting arm, parts catcher and swarf conveyor.

Bar feed systems and collet chucks are options.

With a swing over the bed of 400mm, the Takisawa Taiwan EX-108 has a crosslide travel of 320mm and a between centres distance of 645mm.

Standard turning diameter is 216mm, and with a 203mm chuck the machine has a maximum turning diameter and length of 320mm and 530mm, respectively.

Bar capacity is 52mm and spindle speeds range from 60-4,000 rev/min (7.5/11kW) for the 12-tool turret machine.

Auto tool setting arm, parts catcher, swarf conveyor and programmable quill tailstock are standard; collet chucks and bar feed systems are options.

With C-axis and 12 driven tools, the Taiwan Takisawa EX-310 three-axis slant bed CNC lathe offers users a level of single set-up turn/mill/drill capability that is unparalleled on a cost-to-performance basis.

Swing over the bed is 495mm, between centres distance is 845mm and the maximum turning diameter and length is 350mm and 710mm, respectively.

The 75mm bar capacity machine has rapids of 20/24m/min and a spindle speed up to 3,500 rev/min from the Fanuc 15/22kW oil-cooled built-in motor providing exceptional performance for turning and C axis operations.

Driven tools speeds are 40-4,000 rev/min.

Auto tool setting arm, parts catcher and swarf conveyor are standard, and the use of the optional auto toolsetter, bar feed and robot interface systems can significantly enhance the machine's capability for the unmanned production of complex parts.

Fanuc 21iT CNC incorporating the user-friendly Manual Guide i programming functionality is standard.

The heavy-duty Takisawa Taiwan EX-122 CNC lathe is of cast iron slant bed construction combined with extra heavy duty linear guideway technology.

The long bed EX-122 universal has maximum turning lengths and diameters of 1650mm and 610mm, respectively, coupled with a 22/26kW motor producing spindle speeds from 12 to 1,200 rev/min.

(The EX-122/H variant also available offers a 30/37kW main motor, which coupled with the standard two-range geared headstock offers excellent power and torque capabilities.) The EX-122 has a swing over the bed of 910mm and 560mm over the crosslide, as well as X and Z axes strokes of 330mm and 1650mm, respectively, and a 200mm spindle bore.

Rapid traverse rates are up to 24m/min and the Fanuc 21iT CNC complements the 10-station tool turret to offer users a multitude of machining alternatives on a machine that is fitted with a 533mm (21in) three-jaw hydraulic chuck as standard.

Fanuc 21iT CNC incorporating the user-friendly Manual Guide i programming functionality, auto tool setting arm, bar feed interface and swarf conveyor are all supplied as standard; bar feed systems and steady rests are optional extras.

A subcontract company's success in 'growth' sectors has not happened by chance but by the tight management and control exercised over all operations and machine tool purchases.
Precision engineering subcontractor's continued growth is down to rigorous planning, a disciplined focus and strategic investment in Mills: Doosan Daewoo advanced machine tool technology. Market-leading Poole-based specialist subcontractor - Aercomp Precision Engineering - is experiencing significant growth and has done so since its creation eight years ago. The company, established in 1998 and now employing 17 staff, has made its name and built its reputation manufacturing high-precision complex parts for the aerospace and electronics sectors.

The company's success in these demanding 'growth' sectors has not happened by chance but rather can be explained by the tight management and control exercised over all operations by Aercomp's directors and founders Glen Marsh and John Mulqueen.

Indeed it is the company's commitment, dedication and attention to detail that has seen Aercomp become a 'value-adding' preferred supplier in the aerospace supply chain and explains how 70% of the company's business now comes from this sector.

It also helps explain Aercomp's full order book; a move completed 2 years ago to its present 8,000ft2 facility - and why the company operates a five-day per week 24h shift system too.

Aercomp specialises in the manufacture of small series, and prototype complex aero-engine parts.

These parts, mainly made from exotic heat-resistant alloys such as inconel and Nimonic along with other difficult-to-machine materials are time consuming to manufacture and without the sophisticated and be-spoke workholding and fixturing solutions that Aercomp specialises in producing would be virtually impossible to manufacture commercially.

However, the workholding prowess of Aercomp is only part of the story.

In addition the company makes regular strategic and prudent investment in the latest machine tool technologies as a route to improving component accuracy, reducing lead times and driving down the cost per part.

As part of this process Aercomp has made significant investment in Mills: Doosan Daewoo advanced turning technology.

To increase its capability and capacity Aercomp, in 2005, invested in three new machine tools from Mills and now has a total of eight machines supplied by Mills at its facility along with five vertical machining centres and one other CNC lathe.

The new machine tool investments made in 2005 are as follows.

One 240 LC 2-axis lathe - the Puma 240 LC is a compact, high-performance lathe with 76mm bar working capacity, a high-torque 18.5kW 3,500 rev/min spindle and 30m/min rapids.

* Two 240 MSB multi-functional turning centres - the Puma 240 MSB is a high-productivity, multi-tasking turning centre (mill-drill capability) with 65mm bar working capacity, a 15kW 4,500 rev/min main spindle and 5.5kW 6,000 rev/min sub-spindle.

All three machines have helped to increase Aercomp's manufacturing capacity and provide the company with additional production flexibility.

As stated above aerospace precision sub-contract work accounts for some 70% of Aercomp's turnover.

The remaining 30% comes from the electronics/telecommunications sector in particular the manufacture of precision components for ultra high-speed spindles (500,000 rev/min) used to machine minute holes and features in circuit boards.

Unlike its aerospace work which is characterised by high precision and low volume/small series manufacture Aercomp's 'electronics'/ spindle assembly work, whilst requiring high accuracy and repeatability, is much more high-volume in nature with batch runs of 60,000 components not being uncommon.

To manage both types of work effectively - requires robust planning and first-class production/work scheduling and a vital and constant element in the equation is access to and availability of reliable machines on the shop floor.

Said John Mulqueen, director at Aercomp: ' We run a tight ship here at Aercomp.

Everything is finely balanced to ensure that we optimise our production.

The additional capability we now have from our latest Doosan Daewoo machines gives us more flexibility and has presented us with opportunities to improve our performance.' He said: 'Eight years ago when we created Aercomp the first machine we invested in was from Mills.

Since then we have always found that Mills' technology, applications help and support, after-sales services and general all-round proactive approach fits in well with our operations.'