Ajax Machine Tools to build UK-tailored machine

With more than 50% of the machine value sourced in the UK, this will enable the target price of under £50,000 for a 700 mm by 400 mm by 550 mm capacity machine to be achieved. Says managing director William Savin: "Our research has shown customers in the subcontract, general machining and aerospace sector are keen to have the benefit of Heidenhain control technology for the operator interface and consistency of programming language that has been progressively enhanced while accepting earlier control generation programs." Responses and comments made by visitors to the Southern Manufacturing exhibition last month, where the UK build was announced and an AJV 700 machine demonstrated were positive: "Over the two days, we drew enquiries that would be worth almost £1 million and it was the competitive price, coupled with machine/control specification, that created the significant level of serious interest," he explains. The first phase of build of the AJV 700 VMC will involve 10 machines, based on the use of castings sourced from Long Chang Machinery, one of Taiwan's leading machine tool builders with whom Mr Savin has had a close working relationship for a number of years. "Normally the company would only ship a completed machine, but have agreed to supply heavy duty carcasses for us to specifically tailor the build to our home market." The AJV 700 VMC has a capacity of 700 mm in X by 400 mm in Y and 550 mm in Z with an option to extend the vertical Z axis to 650 mm. The machine will be fitted with high precision roller-type linear guideways to maintain rigidity levels and the rapid traverse rate of 48 m/min. There is a choice of Heidenhain TNC 620 or iTNC 530 controls and drives.