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Bar Feeder from Samsys installed with Hardinge CNC Lathe

Story added 24 February 2010.

Aspec Precision Engineering Ltd. invests in multi-tasking turning centre with integrated bar feeder.

Market-leading precision manufacturing subcontract specialist &ndash Aspec Precision Engineering Ltd &ndash has recently invested in a new Hardinge RS 200MSY multi-tasking turning centre integrated with a Samsys MULTI 3000 bar feeder.

The machine and bar feeder were both installed (simultaneously) as a turnkey project at Aspec's facility in Cambridgeshire in November 2009, and are being used to produce high-precision, complex components and kits for the medical and scientific instrumentation, microscopy, automotive, aerospace and motorsport sectors.

Aspec Precision first established in 1989 and today employing 13 staff, makes regular and strategic investment in the latest and most advanced machine tools &ndash which to date averages out at approximately  one new machine tool per year.

Whilst this level of sustained investment is impressive for a SME and helps explain Aspec's growth and success &ndash it is the type and advanced functionality and sophistication of the machine tools now being invested in by the Company over recent years where the step change has really occurred.

Says Colin Flack, director at Aspec Precision:

'To increase our productivity, improve our competitiveness and secure higher margin work &ndash we have invested in a number of multi-axis, one-hit&rsquo machine tools (multi-tasking lathes and 5-axis milling machines).

'The ability to machine complex parts in a single set-up gives us a number of benefits that help differentiate us from our competitors.&rsquo

The benefits of 'one-hit&rsquo manufacturing - including improved part accuracies and repeatability' (due to less work handling and eliminating the need to transfer parts between machines) reduction in the cost-per-part (due to reducing the labour element in jobs and eliminating costly fixturing operations), and improved delivery times (jobs can be completed faster) &ndash have all helped Aspec Precision improve its competitive edge.

This willingness to embrace new and different ways of working explains Aspec Precision's decision to invest in the Hardinge RS 200MSY turning centre and Samsys bar feeder.

Continues Colin Flack:

'We wanted a multi-tasking turning centre with excellent chucking and bar work capabilities because the nature of our work varies (i.e. prototypes and one &ndashoffs, right through to medium batch production).

'We also wanted the machine to have driven tooling, a Y-axis and sub-spindle and full C-axis capability on both spindles to give us the ability to perform complex operations such as cross or end milling, thread milling, off-centre milling and drilling, polygon turning etc., which would enable us to machine jobs to completion in a single (or fewer) set-ups.&rsquo

The machine also needed to be able to meet part accuracy requirements (+/- 10 microns), deliver superior surface finishes (Ra 0.8um), be equally at home and reliable performing high stock removal or super fine finishing operations.

The Hardinge RS 200MSY with its 8&rdquo chucking and 65mm bar working capabilities, and its 22kW 4,500rpm main spindle (6,000rpm sub-spindle) 12-station turret and optimum travels in X-, Z- and Y-axes (189.2mm 547mm and +50.8mm/-34.9mm), plus the machine's competitive price and Hardinge&rsquos technical and service back-up &ndash presented Aspec Precision with the ideal solution.

'The decision to invest in a Samsys bar feeder at the same time followed discussions between Aspec Precision and sales and applications engineers at Hardinge in the first instance, and then subsequent discussions with Samsys UK staff.

Continues Colin Flack:

'We were being increasingly asked by our customers to manufacture certain parts in larger quantities. Manufacturing these parts (made from a variety of metals and more frequently plastic), in the volumes required (100 &ndash 200 off typically), meant that we would need a bar feeder to automate production.&rsquo

The Samsys MULTI 3000 unit ed by Aspec Precision is a fully-electrically operated, servo-driven unit that enables the Company to benefit from fast set-ups, smooth load/ re-load operations and fast material feed rates. With 65mm bar diameter and 1240mm bar length capacity, plus accurate bar positioning, the in-built versatility of the unit and its low running and maintenance costs &ndash the decision to invest in the MULTI 3000 was made.

Concludes Colin Flack:

'The Hardinge turning centre and Samsys bar feeder were installed in November, and everything went smoothly. The decision to automate our new Hardinge multi-tasking turning centre is proving to be a good investment for us.&rsquo


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