Any structural changes that needed to be made to gained access were a concern, as Rexim’s Milan Svarc states: “[These] made me rather worried, as touching such an old building is bordering on tinkering with a National Heritage item, which can become quite an issue with the authorities.”
With careful negotiation, permission was granted to open up the inner and outer doorways, removing the door frames and cutting away brick and plasterwork to make the openings just large enough for the machines to pass through and unload.
Adding to the challenge was the need to get the machines up a large flight of stairs between the outer and inner door, as well as negotiating a 90°. These steps required a stage to be created, onto which the machines were positioned before being slid through the door.
Preparation for the move took a total of 50 hours prior to the machines’ arrival, while just eight hours were required to offload and locate the six machines, which were: an XYZ 660 HD vertical machining centre; a CT 65 LTY turning centre; an SMX 3500 ProtoTRAK mill; an SLX 355 ProTURN lathe; and two manual training lathes.
Once installed, a further 16 hours after delivery was required to reinstate the doorways, work that involved 60 by 25 kg bags of cement/plaster and two pallets of bricks.
Says Nigel Atherton, managing director, XYZ Machine Tools: “This is another example of our commitment to the customer from our people, whether here in the UK or through our distribution partners across mainland Europe. Our installation teams are among the best and most ingenious in the industry and, it is fair to say that no delivery is too difficult for them. Their dedication to ensuring a safe and efficient process is second to none and further enhances the overall service provided by XYZ Machine Tools.”
