Successful rebuild begets second

The first saw HNC rebuild and retrofit a CNC system to a manual Giddings & Lewis vertical turning lathe that Weir, based in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, had sourced in the USA. The machine was put to work supporting demand in its impeller cell. But further growth in demand saw a requirement for a second machine and, unusually, Weir asked HNC to view the machine and advise. The rider being that the machine was in Buffalo, New York, USA. Paul Anderson, HNC’s engineering manager was despatched to view the potential purchase. The machine, a Bullard VTL with a 66” (1,676 mm) diameter table, was without its turret - although one had been located albeit from a later model. Mr Anderson reckoned that with a little design work, a new slide could be manufactured using the later turret and advised Weir Minerals accordingly, who then bought the machine. A new vertical slide was designed and manufactured for the now reconditioned 5-station turret, with extended Z-axis travel to give Weir Minerals the stroke required to machine tough, high chrome, white metal impeller castings. A GE – Fanuc high torque, digital axis motor along with ball screw were also incorporated. The rotating table was machined and refurbished with new bushes and bearings, while the original, hydraulically selected 16-speed geared drive to the table was simplified to just two speeds - high and low range - using a fully programmable GE Fanuc 60 kW AC spindle motor and drive. Automatic lubrication was fitted along with fully enclosed interlocked guarding, with a Fanuc 18i TB controller plus new control cabinet and wiring throughout fitted. The machine (pictured) has recently been delivered and commissioned, coping with increased demand in Weir’s impeller cell.