Aerospace subcontractor invests in Mori Seiki mill-turn lathe

Based in Aslackby, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, SL Engineering is a subcontractor providing a full in-house solution specialising in the manufacture of rigid tube assemblies and precision machined components for the aerospace, industrial gas turbine, marine, oil and gas, medical, and speciality autosport industries. Shaun Stevenson, director and general manager at SL Engineering (pictured, right, with Mori Seiki's Dr Mori at MACH 2010), says: "One of the key drivers in our decision to choose Mori Seiki NL machines was their excellent rigidity and build quality, ideal for machining the exotic high temperature nickel based alloys we work with. Furthermore, we could see a clear synergy between our two companies. Our industry is highly regulated and demands very high quality products, while Mori Seiki has the infrastructure, development and support network we need to support this requirement." SL Engineering's Mori Seiki NL2000 SY, which was installed just after the recent UK MACH exhibition, includes driven tooling, Y-axis control, a sub-spindle and a special 20-station tool turret, instead of the standard 12-stations. The machine has been designed to provide 100 per cent greater torsional rigidity, and 30 per cent wider guideways than conventional lathes. Oil jackets around the spindle and the built-in turret motor keep temperature rises to 1/10th of those experienced in other machines, minimising thermal displacement, while the massive castings, and built-in turret motor BMT cut vibration levels by 66 per cent. "The MAPPS control system is very user friendly, with good graphics, which promotes quick setup and programming for the complex components we produce – a critical requirement for our products," added Mr Stevenson.