Continuous improvement is the catalyst for investment

Hertfordshire-based precision manufacturer, Drurys Engineering has recently invested in two new machine tools from Hardinge.

The machines – a Bridgeport XR 300 5AX 5-axis machining centre and a Hardinge RS 51MSY multi-tasking turning centre with sub-spindle and driven tooling, are part of a companywide continuous improvement programme as Solutions discovers.

Drurys was formed in 1995 and today employs 24 people. The company has over 25 CNC machines installed at its manufacturing facility – 20 of which are Bridgeport milling machines and Hardinge lathes/turning centres.

In addition to CNC milling and turning, Drurys can also provide wire EDM machining, grinding, honing and deep hole drilling. It has a comprehensive measurement and inspection facility (includes programmable CMMs), and has invested heavily in developing its CAD/CAM capabilities through ProE and Mastercam.

The new Hardinge machines are being used by Drurys to manufacture high precision complex parts and mould tools for customers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, oil and gas and pharmaceutical sectors. Components manufactured by Drurys on the new machines are characterised by their accuracy of 10µm tolerance or better and surface finish of Ra 0.8µm.

Parts are typically manufactured in small batches which include prototypes and one-offs as well as typical batch sizes of 50 to 100 off in a wide range of materials including aluminium, Inconel, titanium, stainless and other exotic alloys.

In position

The decision to invest in multi-axis/multitasking machine tools from Hardinge is explained by Drurys' managing director Richard Dunn: “We have positioned Drurys as a leading, precision subcontractor and the long term partnerships we have developed with a number of blue chip OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers are evidence of our success.

“The key to maintaining and strengthening these relationships is entirely dependent on our ability to continually – and consistently – meet our customers' changing manufacturing requirements and an essential element in helping us respond quickly and positively to these changes is the machine tools we have at our disposal.

He continues: “The sectors where we operate and the customers we work for mean that guaranteed part accuracies, shorter leadtimes and cost competitiveness are always high on the agenda. These are the critical success factors that influenced our decision to invest in multi-axis machine tools, and why we chose Hardinge as the machine tool manufacturer to supply them.”

Drurys is heavily involved in the SC21 initiative with Mr Dunn sitting as co-chairman of the Development and Performance Special Interests Group, and also on the SC21 Steering Group. Drurys is an AS/EN9100 Revision B accredited supplier to the aerospace sector.

New additions, new capabilities

The Bridgeport XR 300 5AX machine provides Drurys with 5-axis positional (3+2) and full simultaneous 5-axis machining capability. The machine's rigid build and construction minimises vibration and also helps reduce thermal distortion – both essential to maintain workpiece accuracy and extended tool life.

The machine is compact and is equipped with a powerful 25kW 12,000rpm spindle that is capable of delivering high material removal rates and excellent surface finishes. A 48 position ATC ensures that the machine can be set-up and left to run unattended and integrated Renishaw probing systems that allow in-process measurement optimise the machine's reliability.

The Hardinge collet ready RS 51MSY multi-axis turning centre with 51mm bar capacity is equipped with live tooling, Y axis, sub spindle and full C axis capability on both spindles. The machine's live tooling capabilities allows Drurys to perform cross- or end-milling and drilling operations, and the Y axis function means that thread milling and complex off centre milling and drilling operations on either the main or sub-spindle can be achieved.

The machine, like the XR 300 5-AX, allows Drurys to machine components in fewer or single set-ups thereby helping the company to reduce leadtimes, improve part accuracies due to less work handling and avoid production bottlenecks.

“The new machines from Hardinge have had a dramatic effect on our performance,” Mr Dunn emphasises. “We're more flexible, more productive and are able to respond much more effectively to our customers' demands and requirements.”

Other considerations

Drurys' decision to invest in Hardinge technology was not just about the machines as Mr Dunn explains: “Machine tool reliability, and the service and applications support available from Hardinge were also key considerations. The customer deadlines we face means that machine tool downtime is not an option for us – so it was critical that the machine tool supplier we selected to provide the new technology took this on board.

“We have worked with Hardinge for a number of years and appreciate their quick response whenever we have had machine tool performance issues in the past. We have also taken advantage of the company's first class applications and technical support expertise.”

Drurys' investment in multi-axis machine tools is just part of the story. With the two new machines working to full capacity Drurys has now invested in a third 5-axis machine – a large capacity XR 600 5 AX. The latest investment not only relieves the pressure on existing machine tools and manufacturing processes - but also increases the size of parts and components that now can be 5-axis machined.

Other areas within the company are being improved with the recent introduction of a new MRP system and plans to revamp its inspection and quality control facility.

Hardinge
www.hardinge.co.uk

Drurys
www.drurys.co.uk
 

Tags
Related Articles

Technology collaboration

The MTC in Coventry is exhibiting the Porsche 919 Hybrid racing car in its reception area until the start of the MACH show when it will move to the DMG Mori stand at the NEC in hall 5 on stand 5610.
8 years ago Features

Loads better

Mills CNC reports that it is increasingly being approached by manufacturers to help design and implement what, in many instances are innovative manufacturing turnkey and process improvement solutions.
8 years ago Features
Most recent Articles

Renishaw highlights career pathways in engineering

There is not one singular blueprint that can lead to a career in the engineering industry. It offers a variety of roles, open to people from diverse backgrounds. To highlight the diversity of skills and experiences in engineering, global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has created the ‘Employee perspectives’ series.
4 hours ago News

Login / Sign up