Located in Brockworth on the outskirts of Gloucester, Adnet Precision Engineering is a subcontract manufacturer that continually grows its business. Operating in the defence, pharmaceutical, aerospace, metrology, medical, telecommunications and semiconductor industries, the company has ramped up its investment in machine tools to support ongoing growth. The latest investments include an array of turning centres and sliding-head lathes from Dugard.

Caroline Day, director at Adnet Precision,says: “We already had one sliding-head machine, but we were running out of capacity, so we invested in the Hanwha XD20-IIV. This new machine is running parts more than 30% faster than our existing sliding head.”

With a maximum speed of 10,000rpm on the main spindle and 8000rpm on the sub-spindle, the machine has a spindle motor power of 2.2/3.7kW. A FANUC 32i-B CNC drives the Hanwha XD20IIV, which provides precise machining through its high tool adaptability, minimised thermal displacement and driven-tooling capabilities. The Hanwha XD20IIV is supplied material via a 3m bar feed.

Most recently, the company purchased a SMEC SL2000SY twin-spindle turn-mill centre from Dugard. This workhorse has an 11/18kW spindle motor that provides high torque for maximum material removal, while the heavily ribbed Meehanite cast and structural design provide high levels of surface finish, repeatability and precision. The 8-inch chuck machine has a sizeable capacity with a swing over bed and cross slide of 650 and 540mm respectively,alongside a maximum machining diameter of 395mm and a maximum machining length of 450mm.

“With the twin spindles we can achieve a lot more work; it’s probably 30% more efficient than the two machines it replaced,” says Day. “The machine also has far more capability.”
For further information www.dugard.com

UK subcontract machining companies do not get much bigger than Metaltech Precision in Somerset. As part of the Expromet Technologies Group, Metaltech’s 50,000 sq ft facility is home to more than 40 CNC turning centres, over 15 machining centres and a wide variety of conventional machines, fabrication equipment and metrology technology. The latest machine to arrive is a Nakamura-Tome WT-300 with an automated robot loading facility from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Operations manager Steven Ward says: “A customer approached us with a substantial contract that required machining a significant number of different parts in volume. Although we have existing fixed-head and sliding-head turning centres, we’re conscious of how we utilise our personnel and the hours available to us in a normal working week. Our Nakamura solution allows us to operate well outside of the normal operating window. The cell works on the basis that the Nakamura, with its performance monitoring and Hydrafeed Robojob system, allows us to palletise either billets or we can bar-feed the machine.”

With through-spindle bar capacity options for bar feeding of 65, 71, 80 or 102 mm diameter material and a maximum turning diameter of 270 mm, the twin-spindle, twin-turret Nakamura-Tome WT-300 accommodates the bar-turning and billet-loading demands of Metaltech. Available with an option of the 15/11 kW or 18.5/15 kW spindle motor on the main and sub-spindle, and a maximum turning length of up to 780 mm, the heavy-duty Nakamura-Tome WT-300 is an all-round performer.

Discussing if the automation route is the only way to remain competitive, Ward says: “You have two expensive assets in your business, one is machinery and the other is personnel. You have to consider how you best utilise both of those assets.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com