Case Studies

Andover-based MRT Castings, which has long used robotic systems in its aluminium diecasting foundry, has started to introduce automation in the machine shop following the arrival of a Japanese-built Brother Speedio M140X2 5-axis mill-turn cell. It is fed automatically with raw material from an interlinked Feedio robotic handling system from the same manufacturer, the first
Read more

At the beginning of November 2019, Whitehouse Machine Tools delivered to the Andover facility of MRT Castings, an aluminium diecasting and machining specialist, the first Brother Speedio R650X2 machining centre to be installed in Europe. The 30-taper machine is equipped with twin pallets carrying 4th-axis trunnions as well as Blum workpiece and tool probing to
Read more

Headline Filters in Aylesford, Kent (www.headlinefilters.com) has taken a big step towards streamlining the manufacture of its components by adopting twin-spindle turning and 5-axis machining to reduce set-ups and take advantage of lights-out machining. The Biglia B750-YS installed at Aylesford. The longest component produced by the filter manufacturer is 380 mm. New process routes for
Read more

Matching machine tool investment to the intended applications is something Crediton subcontractor Adaero Precision Components (www.adaero.co.uk) has done well over the years. The latest addition to its capacity, a WELE AQ1265 3-axis vertical machining centre with Nikken rotary table 4th axis, is no exception. The provider of the Taiwanese-built machine, sole agent Whitehouse Machine Tools,
Read more

Traditionally a 3-axis vertical machining centre (VMC) user, Singer Instruments (www.singerinstruments.com) in Watchet, on the north coast of Somerset, installed its first 5-axis CNC machine – a Spinner U5630 – at the start of 2019 to streamline the manufacture of aluminium components. Cycle time savings have been dramatic and there has been a considerable reduction
Read more

A direct-drive spindle motor and linear guideways on a milling centre enable high speed metalcutting, but that configuration does not lend itself to efficient machining of highly alloyed nickels like Inconel or Duplex and Super Duplex stainless steels. A gearbox drive and box ways are more appropriate, but they are difficult to find on smaller,
Read more

One machine does the work of two in medical R&D facility A Japanese-built Brother Speedio M140X2 5-axis mill-turn centre with 22-position magazine for 30-taper tools has been supplied by UK agent Whitehouse Machine Tools to Jointmedica, a Worcestershire company that carries out world-leading research and development (R&D) into optimal design and manufacture of artificial knees
Read more

Established 20 years ago, Exeter-based motorcycle aftermarket specialist HEL Performance (www.helperformance.com) has for half of that time manufactured its brake line fittings in-house from stainless steel bar using an array of sliding-head CNC lathes, of which 14 are currently in use. The idea was to have full control not only over the design but also
Read more

Tony Bess, director of subcontract machinists Plalite Ltd in Sittingbourne, Kent, has in the last three years invested £3 million in capital equipment. Included in the purchases were two Japanese-built Speedio M140X2 30-taper mill-turn centres from Brother, supplied by sole UK agent, Whitehouse Machine Tools. The first of the 5-axis machines was installed in mid-2017
Read more

At the Barnoldswick factory of bicycle aftermarket component manufacturer Hope Technology, nearly all parts are machined from aluminium. Due to the relatively light metalcutting involved, it is not surprising that nimble, 30-taper machining centres are found on the shop floor alongside more powerful but relatively ponderous machines having a 40-taper tool interface. Indeed, works and
Read more