>MACHINING
toolchanger and pallet changer making those faster and more responsive.”
But one totally new machine in the Matsuura camp is the MX-520 5-axis vertical machining centre due for release in August 2010. “This machine is something of a departure for Matsuura,” announces marketing executive Ian Michie. “It will be marketed as an entry level machine but built to the same manufacturing standards as our MAM range. Matsuura quality without the frills basically.”
Aimed at users looking to upgrade from 3-axis to 5-axis
capability, the MX-520 has been designed with a ram-type structure, offering a compact and rigid machining platform. Two table sizes are available (300mm or 500mm diameter), travels are 630mm x 560mm x 510mm (X,Y,Z) and the headstock and trunnion configuration has been designed in such a way as to minimise the possibility of collision, whilst maximising tool access and reach. “The MX-520 will be a very successful model for Matsuura globally,” Mr Michie predicts. “We’ll be running a series of open days here at Coalville following the launch in August, so customers will be able to see the machine in detail.”
More than words
A common buzzword used in manufacturing circles is ‘turnkey’ and you’ll find the word used extensively in all of Matsuura’s literature and promotional material. As with most buzzwords however definition is as much about interpretation as it is anything else, but to Matsuura, the word ‘turnkey’ has a very precise and unambiguous meaning. “For us it means, quite literally, taking total control of the customer’s order,” Mr Howkins declares. “To ensure that our machines perform to the stated accuracy and precision we need to take control of the whole project and this can be anything from ensuring that the foundations where the machine is to be located
are up to the job, through to fixturing, tooling and coolant. From a health and safety and functionality perspective, it’s standard practice for us to carry out risk assessments and a site survey prior to an installation actually taking place.”
The sweet smell of success
It is perhaps not surprising that much of Matsuura’s business is project work in demanding industries such as aerospace, power generation and automotive. 2010 has seen a number of prestigious contracts come to fruition.
In April for example, Matsuura received its biggest order ever from a British aero engine manufacturer which encompassed a total of 17 machines from across the Matsuura, Niigata and SNK product portfolio. Total turnkey package value was an impressive £15 million.
Roger Howkins
Spread over two years, the package consists of seven heavy-duty horizontals from Niigata, six 5-axis machines from SNK and four large vertical machines from Matsuura, plus varying levels of turnkey engineering and process development activities spread across the machine models with their respective and individually distinct production operations. With such a high profile project up for grabs, there must have been no shortage of competition, so how did Matsuura clinch the deal? “Well I believe it was largely down to the fact that we had done our homework,” Mr Howkins divulges. “We had previously installed five Niigata machines for this customer back in 2005 and when we learned that the company was looking to expand we had a pretty good idea of the project in hand so carried out some test cuts and trials at our plant in Germany. When it came to tendering for the order, we had a good head start over the competition.” It’s a similar story with the company’s latest order from SPS Aerostructures based in Mansfield. This comprises two 630 H.Plus horizontal machining centres and a Fastems flexible manufacturing system. Worth in excess of £2 million, the system has been modified to integrate a deburring process that was causing the customer problems operationally. “Our reputation as a solutions provider is helping us win these contracts,” Mr Howkins concludes. “SPS is an existing customer of some five years and we are delighted to have been of service again.”
>MATSUURA
www.matsuura.co.uk
transformed effectively into two smaller vertical machining centres, enabling the pendulum machining of two independent set-ups, for 4-axis or 5-axis machining.
In this mode, the Vcenter- X300’s X-axis travel limit is automatically set by the interlock when the partition guard is installed. Increasing its appeal to potential purchasers, the machine’s partition system enables it to deliver higher productivity than a conventional vertical machining centre equipped with a 2-pallet APC, the manufacturer claims. Reducing tool changeover time, a 48 tool magazine is carried by the Vcenter-X300’s traversing column, whilst a twin arm type ATC performs quick and reliable tool changeover routines, further increasing productive machining time. While the Vcenter-X300’s spindle structure is built for maximum rigidity, a spindle oil cooler is installed to circulate coolant around the cooling jacket of the built-in spindle, extending the service life of the spindle bearings. A further oil
2010
cooler is also included to help protect the machine’s C-axis DD motor. Two screw-type chip removers are included to efficiently clear swarf from the Vcenter-X300’s machining area. A rear disposal conveyor is then used to remove the swarf from the machine.
Included as standard is a 15
inch moving CRT monitor and the machine’s advanced Heidenhain iTNC-530 controller is capable of addressing 256 blocks for high speed machining and 5-axis simultaneous control. To enable machine operators to observe the workpiece within the machining area, a Heidenhain HR-410 portable handwheel is also included. With Dynamic Collision
Monitoring (DCM) software also supplied as standard, the machine’s controller interrupts machining whenever a collision is imminent. Three warning stages can be set up to detect clearances between two moving parts.
>VICTOR
EUROPE
www.victoreurope.com
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