New Mazak lathe arrives at Aldermans’ factory
We are delighted to announce the arrival and commissioning of our brand new Mazak lathe.
This lathe is the latest new investment at our Plymouth factory, as we continue to extend our services and capacity, and enhance our traditional machinery with the very latest computer controlled metal fabrication technologies.
We are delighted to announce the arrival and commissioning of our brand new Mazak lathe.
This lathe is the latest new investment at our Plymouth factory, as we continue to extend our services and capacity, and enhance our traditional machinery with the very latest computer controlled metal fabrication technologies.
It was less than two years ago that we invested in our first bar-fed production lathe. Demand since has become so strong that the lathe is frequently running at full capacity – hence the decision to invest in a second machine.
Grant funding towards the new lathe was sourced from the North Devon ‘Unlocking Business Investment’ scheme, supported by the Regional Growth Fund.
“Mazak is known for being a high-end manufacturing technology brand; and in choosing a Mazak lathe we made a conscious decision to invest in good machinery that would produce exceptional quality turned parts, and improve shopfloor productivity,” commented Karen Friendship, Managing Director.
The new lathe is model 100-II MSY, part of the Mazak Quick Turn Nexus II series. Its numerous features are designed for excellent machine stability and to ensure highly accurate finished parts.
Multiple axes for speed and accuracy
With a 12-tool turret capable of milling and drilling all in the same set-up, the 100-II MSY controls components on X, Y and Z axes. It also uses the spindle as a C-axis to allow precision positioning and contouring. This means that complex turned parts can be created easily, from raw material to finished workpiece in a single setup. Linear roller guides on all axes ensure accuracy and reduce friction.
Fast set-up and exceptional control
With shopfloor programming based on an easy question-and-answer approach, set-up time can be reduced by over a quarter compared to previous Mazak models.
Key elements of the machine can be easily controlled by operators, and warnings appear on manual settings to reduce operator error.
Virtual machining allows programmes to be tested first with a 3D simulation display. An ‘intelligent safety shield’ calculates programmes in advance and blocks any that could cause machine interference and damage.
Reduced vibration, for a high-quality finish
The Mazak lathe has an all-in-one spindle and motor assembly, which uses no gears or belts. This means much less vibration during machining, particularly at high speed, and the result is a finer surface on the finished part. It also means small pieces can be made with greater accuracy.
This model also has a second spindle with an advanced design, which means small diameter parts can be created with great accuracy. It can also be used for high-speed aluminium cutting.
Intelligent, lights-out operation
The lathe has a Hydrafeed bar feeder for material up to 2” diameter, which means that once set up it can be run as a ‘lights-out’ operation, helping us improve lead times for clients. There’s also a 6” chuck diameter, which means larger profiles can also be accommodated.
It also comes with temperature sensing, to automatically measure and compensate for changes in the ambient temperature. This ensures consistent tolerances are maintained on turned parts, even if the temperature in the factory changes. This is another great benefit, assuring quality output even if the machine is unmanned.
