Midas makes its biggest investment

Weighing in at an impressive 15,150kg and with a 7.2m long footprint, the Haas VF-11 vertical machining centre has delivered new levels of versatility to the workshop, as sales and marketing manager, Rachel Sparkhall explains: “The VF-11 vastly increases our capacity and improves our turnaround. We can now machine much larger jobs in one hit, so we’re not spending time setting up multiple parts. It’s certainly more efficient.

“This level of investment gives both our existing and new customers the confidence to place orders with us. When they see that we own the right equipment for the job, they feel protected and assured by what we can offer. We have a long-term vision for ourselves and our clients.”

The VF-11 has ample room for large parts with an envelope of 3,048 x 1,016 x 762mm. The machine is equipped with a 24+1 side-mount tool changer: “This is a fantastic addition because it keeps tooling outside the machine,” Ms Sparkhall adds. “This may not seem like a big deal, but the toolholder and spindle tapers stay clean leading to less wear and tear.”

The workshop required a complete reorganisation to create space although Midas is no stranger to large frame Haas machines with three VF-9s, and three VF-4SS super speed machines already installed at its two Bedford factories.

The company began life over 30 years ago manufacturing precision pattern equipment for the local foundry industry. Now, the business has evolved into a precision polyurethane moulding company, serving a wide range of industries including medical, medtech and scientific instrumentation.

“Many of our customers have seen increased requirements during the global pandemic, particularly in investigation and testing in the medical and medtech sector. As other industries have naturally seen a quieter period, we have been able to react quickly to the change in volume of work for those who really need it and that has been very rewarding,” Ms Sparkhall affirms.

Midas has been a Haas customer for almost 25 years; its first Haas investment was a VF-4 back in 1997: “We knew Haas were perceived as a good brand. They have a name for reliability and accuracy – and if we’re happy with a brand why wouldn’t we stick with it? The first machine and the support we got from Haas gave us the confidence to come back time and time again.”

Midas’ technical team works closely with clients, creating polyurethane RIM tooling for bespoke designs which are ordered in low volume and then repeated over decades. One such project was to produce a set of five mouldings for an electronically controlled dive unit, capable of supporting long-endurance and depth capability.

It was essential that parts produced could withstand extreme temperatures and all weathers, including salt water. A high level of accuracy was paramount for safety and functionality.

As a plastics manufacturer, Midas takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. In 2019 it began the #MidasGreenInitiative with process carbon neutral achieved throughout both factories by June 2020. The company has since progressed to achieve Carbon net-zero. A farm of 650 solar panels power the plant; all lights are LED, packaging is shredded and recycled, single use plastics are banned and no waste goes to landfill.

“There’s been a lot of hard work and investment in the last year and a half, but it’s certainly been worth it,” says Ms Sparkhall. “We also installed an energy efficient compressor, an essential piece of equipment for our bank of Haas CNC machines, and have benefitted from significantly reduced energy usage.”

Haas Automation www.haas.co.uk

Midas Pattern Company www.midaspattern.co.uk