Lathes for all occasions

Bosses at the Plymouth-based precision engineering firm purchased two bespoke have invested in two bespoke Italian-built machines supplied by UK agent Whitehouse Machine Tools. The lathes, the company says, have already dramatically increased productivity and will revolutionise the company’s manufacturing processes, future proofing the business over the coming years.

The two lathes can work with a variety of materials and the larger of the two has twin-opposed spindles and three Y-axis turrets – 13 axes in total. With its multiple spindles it is milling and turning simultaneously, cutting the time to make one particular mechanical component for the aerospace industry from one and a quarter hours to just eight minutes. In fact, the Quattro 465 T3Y3 is so fast and so accurate the company has doubled its capacity and widened its capabilities.

Managing director Tim Winzer says: “The detail and accuracy would make the Biglias ideal for any kind of complex component or prototype. It was an important investment for our company but we knew we had to reduce cycle times to remain ahead of the competition. Before they arrived we were using two or three machines per component. Now it’s all done on one machine.”

He continues: “We are now able to carry out a lot of balanced turning and milling at both spindles, as the third, lowest turret serves both. Often during the cycle we have three tools cutting simultaneously.”

Morris production engineer Lee Clarke says the Biglia had improved his working environment with a full week’s production recently completed in just one day: “It really has made a difference and the accuracy is staggering. It can work in any metal or plastic and the process is so rapid,” he comments.

The high volume smaller B436 Biglia twin spindle lathe with its nimble two Y-axis turrets is ideal for producing smaller turn-milled parts, up to its maximum bar capacity of 36mm.

Mr Winzer concludes: “There really is no limit to what these machines are capable of. They are fast and accurate and we have doubled our capacity and hugely increased the range of products we can supply.”

Morris Engineering www.morris-engineering.com

Whitehouse Machine Tools www.wmtcnc.com