A change for the better

Mach Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group, has recently supplied Surrey-based, precision subcontract specialist Delavale Engineering with two, new high-performance vertical machining centres.

The VMCs, both Mach 710MM+ models, were acquired separately by Delavale; the first in September 2018 and the second in January 2019. The machines are positioned adjacent to each other at the company’s 5,000ft² facility in Bagshot to create (what is in effect) a flexible, high-productivity milling cell.

The decision to invest in new machines from Mach Machine Tools represents a significant departure for Delavale. Prior to the new acquisitions, the company, historically, purchased pre-owned machines from Machine Tool Sales Online, also part of the Vigilance Group, and purchased new machines from a different well-known and well-established machine tool supplier.

The change in direction is testament to the technical specification, availability and competitive price of the Mach 710MM+ machines – as well as a ringing endorsement of the aftersales service and support provided by Mach Machine Tools.

Steve Burrows, Delavale’s managing director explains: “We regularly invest in high-quality used machine tools as an established route to us increasing and improving our machining capacity and capabilities and, over recent years, have acquired a number of pre-owned machines from Machine Tool Sales Online (MTSO).”

Indeed it was during a visit to MTSO’s Bristol showroom facility in August 2018 where Mr Burrows, with an eye on acquiring a pre-owned machining centre, spotted the Mach 710MM+ vertical machine for the first time.

“It was either fate or serendipity that caused me to catch sight of a new machine,” he recalls. “I asked about the technical specification and price – and was pleasantly surprised by both; so much so in fact that I purchased two 710MM+ machines.”

The 710MM+ is a small and compact 3-axis vertical machining centre with an impressive technical specification that belies its competitive price.

It sports 710mm x 400mm x 450mm (X-, Y-, Z-axis) travels and is equipped with a direct-drive 13kW/10,000rpm BBT40 taper spindle (a 24,000rpm spindle option is available), a large working table (850mm x 410mm) with a 300kg maximum table load.

Also part of the package is a rapid change 24-position ATC. The machine can be supplied with a number of different control options – Fanuc 0i-MF; Siemens 828D control with ShopMill conversational programming software; or the Heidenhain 620 control.

MM710MM+ machines have a rigid design and build and, in addition to their Meehanite construction and large, heavy-ribbed column design, are also equipped with linear roller guides on all three axes.

“Mach 710MM+ machines have a number of attractive features and their specification compares favourably to many mid-size vertical machining centres on the market,” Mr Burrows enthuses.

“Particularly appealing to me was the direct-drive spindle configuration which, unlike belt-driven spindle options, are much quieter and more responsive. The machine’s face and taper tooling and 48m/minute rapid rates were also key selling points.”

The specification and price of the MM710MM+ proved to be irresistible and resulted in Delavale placing an order for the machine: “Following its delivery and installation one of the first jobs loaded onto the machine was an existing high-precision aluminium component,” Mr Burrows recalls.

“The Mach 710MM+ delivered immediate benefits – most notably with regard to part cycle times (a reduction of 50%), and the elimination of secondary, hand finishing operations.”

Such were the performance and productivity improvements gained from investing in the Mach 710MM+ machine that, just a few months later when Delavale required additional milling capacity, that the decision to order an second identical machine was made.

Having two identical machines at its disposal has increased the company’s productivity and machining flexibility.

Mach Machine Tools www.machmt.co.uk