Extraordinarily quick reaction saves the day

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Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG

Reliability and good service

The C 400 is a model from a new, lower priced machine series from Hermle that sits alongside the manufacturer’s core range. The machine has the same modified gantry design and mineral cast bed, offering rigidity, low vibration and high accuracy. Quality is therefore equivalent; the only proviso is that fewer options are available, a limitation that does not affect the range of applications at FGP Systems.

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The standard CNC system is Heidenhain’s latest milling control, the TNC 640. Mr Griffiths-Hughes says it is popular with the subcontractor’s machine operators due to its ease of use, large colour monitor and built-in Hermle macros that provide support for complex milling. Programs can be transferred seamlessly from the other 5-axis machines on the shop floor, as they all use earlier TNC control systems.

There is no turning capability on the rotary table of the C 400, but the TNC 640 has the option of software for interpolation turning. It exploits circular movement using the X and Y axes, synchronised rotation of a turning tool in the spindle and simultaneous feed in Z to single-point profile-turn circular features on the inside or outside of a static component on the table. With a lot of big flanges requiring recesses going through the machine shop at Weymouth, the extra software is likely to be an early addition when the tray table contract is migrated to an automated production cell at the factory and the C 400 is deployed onto other work.

In conclusion, Mr Pitman said, “You need reliable machines in subcontracting, especially when serving the aerospace market, not thoroughbreds that are highly productive one minute and then break down the next. It is early days, but it appears that the Hermle is going to give us the uptime we need, as well as the quality.

“The other essential thing a subcontractor needs is good service. Geo Kingsbury has impressed us so far, in particular with how quickly two of its engineers moved the C 400 in four days to allow us to install other new equipment urgently. It would normally take twice as long to relocate a 5-axis machining centre.”

fgpltd.co.uk; geokingsbury.com

(ID:44757727)