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Qualiturn enhances production procedures
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Hertford-based contract machinist Qualiturn has invested GBP320,000 to upgrade its capacity and streamline shop-floor procedures with a view to maximising production efficiency. The money has been spent in three main areas: purchase of a Star SV-32 sliding-head lathe to replace an old model; high pressure coolant (HPC) for this and another lathe; and automated storage systems for bar stock and tools The SV-32 has been fitted with HPC as it improves efficiency when machining stainless steels, which now account for about half of throughput at Hertford The increase in use of this material is partly due to customers wanting to avoid electroplating brass and mild steel components, which has become more expensive since the solvent emissions directive became law. HPC helps to break up the stringy stainless steel swarf, facilitating its removal from the working area of the lathe. The chip-breaking action of HPC is also useful when gun drilling, as the swarf is more readily extracted from deep, narrow holes, particularly if they are blind. Coolant delivered at high pressure to the point of cutting also has the effect of cooling the component and cutting tip, which is useful when machining exotic alloys as their toughness tends to result in heat being generated during machining. To maximise the benefit of HPC and at the same time keep down expenditure, Qualiturn opted to buy a portable coolant delivery unit from Star. It can be wheeled between the latest SV-32 and another Star sliding-head lathe, a 20mm capacity SR-20RII to which HPC connections have been retrofitted to the back of the machine. The coolant is routed at up to 140 bar to the working area of the lathe, where retrofitted pipes have their nozzles aimed specifically at the main spindle and the live stations that perform reverse-end machining in conjunction with the counter spindle. Qualiturn also installed a computer-controlled vertical lift system from Couzens Storage Solutions in mid 2008 for automatically storing and retrieving bar stock up to 6.5m long. The company has since purchased another, smaller system from the same supplier. Installed in October, it houses collets, bushes and all other items of tooling except for cutting tools, which are held in an Autocrib store. With around 100 set-ups a week, Qualiturn is always keen to increase further the efficiency of just-in-time deliveries, an objective that is helped by initiatives like the high rise, automated storage systems. Other recent investments made with this same aim include: CNC inspection machines from Tesa; two Mecwash aqueous cleaning machines with ultrasonic capability; a Star SR-10J slider with 35m/min rapids for fast production of sub-10mm diameter parts; and a PSL Datatrack production management system that has made the whole operation virtually paperless. The system links in with the Autocrib, measuring machines and storage system, and coordinates quotations, sales order processing, workshop scheduling, purchasing, stock control and finance. Rationalisation of space on the shop floor at Hertford has freed up enough space to install two more machines, which would help to reduce Qualiturn's lead-times further and increase turnover. http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/quq/quq103.html |
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