Tooling helps maximise five-axis investment

An East Sussex manufacturer of precision components that help universities and government laboratories complete ground-breaking experiments, has enjoyed a major production boost. UHV Design, which employs 50 people at its facility in Laughton, has tapped into the expertise of Hyfore to equip its new five-axis Quaser MF500UH with a dedicated tooling system.

Working closely together, the two companies identified a £30,000 Acrow tool-holding package. The Hyfore solution focuses on interchangeable NR collets that can be used exclusively on the Quaser machine. NR collets tend to be smaller in diameter, offering greater contact with components, improved tool life and the ability to move freely around tight clearance spaces.
David Heward, machine shop manager at UHV Design, which is part of AIM-listed Judges Scientific, says: “The Quaser MF500UH was equipped with a 15,000 rpm ‘face and taper’ spindle and a 48-station carousel that allows us to store 80% of all our tools in one machine – ideal for reducing changeover times and reducing secondary operations. However, to make the most of it we needed to find the right tooling system, and that is where Hyfore came into its own. Their engineers spent a lot of time at our facility looking at the components we were planning to machine, before identifying the best package.”
Oli Riley, product specialist at Hyfore, adds: “This is the largest single order placed for an Acrow package to date. Importantly, it also shows how we can work with specialist manufacturers like UHV to understand its production challenges and come up with flexible solutions.”
For further information www.hyfore.com