MTC opts for DMG/Mori Seiki technology to support manufacturing projects

Currently eight of its machines are being used to develop innovative manufacturing processes, notably for the aerospace, motorsport and power generation sectors. The equipment is also supporting other core areas of engineering and research at the centre, which was established in 2010 with the objective of bridging the gap between academia and industry. DMG/Mori Seiki has joined founding members Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Aero Engine Controls in the Tier One category of the MTC. So far, five machining centres, two CNC lathes and a laser drilling machine have been supplied. One of the machines, a DMU 210 FD 5-axis mill-turn centre, has been purchased outright by the MTC for prismatically machining and turning components within a 1,800 by 2,100 by 1,250 mm working volume. The other machine tools have been supplied on loan to provide capacity to meet a wide range of production requirements. The additional equipment comprises two DMC 1035 V ecoline machines and a 5-axis DMU 65 monoBLOCK, all of which are vertical machining centres; a Milltap 700 turret-type milling, drilling and tapping centre; two CTX 310 ecoline CNC lathes; and a 5-axis Lasertec 80 PowerDrill for machining cooling holes in gas turbine components for aerospace and power generation. Said Ken Young, MTC technology director: "A number of potential suppliers were asked to tender for supplying the MTC with a large 5-axis mill-turning centre and DMG/Mori Seiki was successful with its DMU 210 FD. "The company subsequently became one of our Tier One industrial members. Under the terms of the agreement, it has undertaken to supply, on a flexible basis, all of the metalcutting machines that the MTC needs to carry out its work. "As our projects are so diverse, we were looking for a machine tool company that could offer a broad variety of machines. "DMG/Mori Seiki is ideal in this respect, as it supplies one of the largest ranges of machines on the market, including laser and ultrasonic equipment." Clive Hickman, chief executive of the MTC, added: "We are delighted to have DMG/Mori Seiki as a collaboration partner, as we regard its machines as being of excellent quality, providing exceptional functionality, versatility and accuracy. "This is precisely the type of resource our industrial members and academic partners require to support the development of new, high value manufacturing processes and techniques."