Advanced, multi-axis, multi-tasking CNC machine tools are seen by a subcontractor as essential for meeting stringent customer delivery times and ensuring cost competitiveness and quality

GW Cowler Precision Engineers has recently invested in a Doosan, high-performance 6-axis multi-tasking turning centre supplied by Mills Manufacturing Technology, Leamington Spa, UK. The machine is a Puma 2500SY turning centre equipped with integrated Y-axis (100mm travel) capability, a milling sub-spindle (11kW 6,000 rev/min with full C-axis and 0.001 deg indexing) and live tooling.

Cowler is using the Puma to machine small-to-medium batch series of high-precision, complex parts.

The Hertfordshire, UK-based precision engineering subcontract specialist supplies the automotive, motor sport, aerospace, electronics and home furnishings industries.

In spite of this diversity - these industries share a number of common manufacturing characteristics and requirements that Cowler has to meet to ensure the company’s growth and continuing success.

Director at GW Cowler, Andy Cowler, said: ‘The critical manufacturing issues that confront us concern our ability to i) hit stringent customer delivery times; ii) ensure guaranteed high part quality (accuracy, surface finish etc) and iii) maintain our cost competitiveness’.

Cowler said, in a report to Manufacturingtalk: ‘To achieve these results our machine tool investment programme is now firmly focused on acquiring advanced, multi-functional machine tools - and the Puma 2500SY is a case in point.

The machine delivers excellent performance and high productivity.

We can complete jobs in a single set-up through using the machine’s sub-spindle for second ops) which in turn increases our work throughput, improves our machine tool utilisation and ensures part accuracy owing to reduced handling and fixturing’.

He added: ‘Furthermore the machine’s generous 100mm travel Y-axis function gives us extra versatility and enables parts to be machined off centre contour milling of keyways and cross milling of flats.

And the machine’s fast rapids and 0.10s turret indexing help reduce cycle times too’.

Further evidence of the company’s commitment to investing in multi-functional, high-productivity machine tools is the purchase of a Doosan V430 twin-pallet vertical machining centre (VMC), again supplied by Mills.

The V430, with its 18.5kW 10,000 rev/min (BT40) spindle and 30-position ATC and twin pallets (650 x 450mm), provides Cowler with powerful, fast, flexible and reliable milling capability.

Although there is no ‘typical’ job manufactured by Cowler - a good example of the company’s capabilities is illustrated by the film scanning units it manufactures for one of its customers.

The scanning units are used for scanning 35mm film (single frames) for CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) special effects applications in film, television, etc.

They contain over 65 individual parts - all machined and then assembled by Cowler.

Made from aluminium, stainless steel and bronze, the parts are machined to high-precision (0.01mm) and are assembled in-house prior to shipment.

The company manufactures up to 4 ’sets’ per month.

* About GW Cowler - GW Cowler Precision Engineers Limited was established in 1982 and today employs over 20 staff at its 6,500m2 facility in Hertford.

The company specialises in small-to-medium batch series production (anything from prototypes and one-offs through to orders of 5,000+ precision parts).

As well as providing high-precision CNC machining capability (turning, milling, grinding etc) to its customers, the company also offers a comprehensive range of finishing services.

These include electro-plating, polishing, sub-assemblies and so on.

As well as investing in the latest advanced machine tools the company has made similarly strategic investments in developing its CAD/CAM and inspection capabilities.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mil/mil172.html