Moorgate Precision Engineering gets 'hole' lot of help from WNT

A contract from a longstanding customer for the manufacture of a series of components saw the company faced with the challenge of a large number of 7 mm diameter holes. The small plates featured 5,000 holes, while the larger plates had up to 15,000 holes. In total, Seaforth, Liverpool-based Moorgate had to produce over 500,000-off 7mm diameter holes. In the early stages of the contract, Moorgate investigated drill from four tooling manufacturers, but the best tool life it could achieve was 400 holes per drill. "This lack of tool life was creating issues for us, as in order to win the contract, we had agreed to stringent delivery and price targets," says Bob Greaves, managing director, Moorgate Precision Engineering. "We needed greater consistency, and, ideally, a drill that would last for at least 5,000 holes and allow us to run unmanned. It was at this time that I had a call from Matt Darbyshire of WNT (UK), who offered to work with us to develop a process that would work." This was a slight departure for Moorgate, which had not previously been offered this level of support from any tooling supplier - it was viewed as just another customer by others who had sold it cutting tools, but it was a perfect fit with WNT's business strategy of dealing with small to medium sized subcontractors that had ambition to grow. The solution provided by WNT (UK) was its recently introduced Plusline range of solid carbide drills. The improvements were almost immediate, with each drill lasting for 6,000 holes on average, easily enough to completely drill the smaller plates." The material is between 570 and 640 Brinell and isn't the easiest material to machine," says Bob Greaves. "However, by working with Matt and WNT (UK), we quickly found the optimum cutting data of 1,800 rpm and 130 mm/min federate, and what had been a serious problem disappeared. We work closely with our customers to help reduce waste and costs, and our emphasis is now focussed on 5s and lean manufacturing techniques. Therefore, the relationship we have developed with WNT mirrors what we as a company are trying to achieve for our customers." The success of this project has since led to additional contracts being awarded on which WNT is continuing to offer help and advice in order for Moorgate to remain both price competitive and have the confidence that the tooling will help them meet deliver schedules.