EuroWire March 2016

News Corporate

Addison on hand with first UK sale

Neville Precision Engineering, a UK designer and manufacturer of aluminium extruded products, has taken delivery of a third Mecal CNC machining centre from West Midlands-based cutting and sawing technology specialist Addison Saws. Believed to be the fastest of its kind, the two Mecal CNC machining centres are 4-axis models and are used to manufacture 40,000 aluminium door sill plates a year for one of the world’s premier automotive brands. By comparison, this latest machine to be purchased by Neville is a 5-axis Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT – the first 5-axis machining centre of its type to be sold in the UK by Addison Saws. “For a new contract, which involves the manufacture of some 10,000 aluminium carriage light fittings a year for the next generation of high-speed trains, I initially considered purchasing an additional Mecal 4-axis machine,” said Neville managing director Edward Neville. “During a visit to Mecal’s HQ with Addison Saws for machining trials, however, I was able to see the latest generation Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT 5-axis CNC machining centre. A demonstration confirmed that it was precisely what I was looking for.” With full 5-axis capability, the Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT allows the cutting tool to approach the component from all possible angles, in order to complete cutting and machining operations on the top, bottom, sides and ends. This has brought flexibility to Neville Precision Engineering’s carriage light manufacturing cycle, where finished components measuring two metres long x 200mm wide are produced from 4.5-metre-long extrusion bars. This latest investment in CNC machining technology by Neville has enabled the company to reduce machining cycle times significantly, removing any need for components to be manually repositioned Support deal signed

▲ ▲ The 5-axis Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT

of up to 7.5 metres in length. Providing flexibility, thanks to their additional rotary axes, Mecal Ariel-5 models are suited to new product development, as well as to complex machining tasks.

during the manufacturing process. The Ariel-5 machining centre is equipped with an optional, fully independent clamping system and also offers Neville Precision Engineering considerable opportunities for component development. “We are delighted to be able to offer both the MC304 Ariel-5 MMI and MC304 Ariel-5 MDT models,” said Addison sales director Chris Wilson. “Highly robust and competitively priced, these latest CNC machining centres from Mecal bring new levels of flexibility and convenience to customers who produce components from extruded aluminium.” “Once again, Addison Saws has provided a high quality solution for our demanding manufacturing strategies,” added Mr Neville. “Our new CNC machining centre has also brought exciting possibilities to our component development capabilities.” The new Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT machining centres from Addison Saws are able to automatically machine, drill, mill, slot and cut aluminium extrusions

At-a-glance features include:

•

Mobile

12-position

rotary

tool

magazine

• Fully motorised self-positioning vices • Vice movement during machining cycle (optional) • 3D graphical software with external CAD link available • Powerful 11kW HSD spindle • Fibre-optic high-speed data comm- unication • Dual loading zones for seamless production • Rear safety mesh fence • Central automatic lubrication system Addison Saws – UK Website : www.addisonsaws.co.uk

Neville Precision Engineering – UK Website : www.nevilles.co.uk

Peter Schlindwein, vice president of corporate procurement at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “We need suppliers who provide us flexible and competent support to meet market demands. In this regard, global agreements are important steps for cooperation as equals.” Reto Bolt, chief operating officer of the Radio Frequency division at Huber+Suhner, said: “We are proud to have leading companies like Rohde & Schwarz as key accounts. This long‑term cooperation drives us to develop future‑oriented solutions for our mutual market success.” Rohde & Schwarz – USA Website : www.rohde-schwarz.com Huber+Suhner – Switzerland Website : www.hubersuhner.com

The Rohde & Schwarz electronics group has signed a comprehensive global procurement agreement with Huber+Suhner AG, a global manufacturer of connectivity solutions for radio frequency, fibre optics and low frequency technologies. The global framework agreement ensures the support of Huber+Suhner for optimal worldwide components supplies and technical consultation. At the same time, it stabilises the status of Huber+Suhner as a preferred supplier and lays the foundations for continuously enhancing an intensive working relationship. Manufacturing high‑tech Rohde & Schwarz products poses complex challenges for the group’s supply chain. Deliveries of electronic assemblies and subsystems must be on time, high‑quality and economical.

12

www.read-eurowire.com

March 2016