Aerospace contract prompts machining centre investment

The machine, supplied with a 36,000 rpm spindle (HSK-E50 interface), 7-station integrated workpiece pallet changer, 170-position ATC, through-spindle-coolant and integrated tool breakage and tool measurement system – was installed at MPE's facility in Shirley in December 2008. The reason for MPE's investment in the HSM 600U ProdMod machining centre was the Company's successful tender to manufacture high-precision, complex fuel system parts for a jet aircraft prototype. Adam Ormandy, managing director of MPE, said: "The fuel system, part of a major assembly, is characterised by its complexity (i.e. a multitude of asymmetrically-positioned and different sized diameter bores). "The fuel system was a prototype and as such we knew that there would be a number of design modifications and reiterations that we would need to manage. To ensure we could handle these changes and meet the delivery deadlines required, as well as achieving the part accuracy and surface finish requirements, we knew we needed advanced 5-axis machine tool technology on our side." Mr Ormandy went on to explain the key reasons for choosing the Mikron machine: "It was important that the machine had integrated APC capability, so that we could load and set-up jobs on the free pallets while the machine was still running. It was also equally important that the machine had a good-sized tool changer (ATC) to enable such continuous machining to occur – and to give us a high degree of manufacturing flexibility and autonomy." The machining centre's small, compact footprint was also a key consideration.