TPT January 2012

T echnology U pdate

Honing machines and solutions

DELAPENA a long-established British machine tool manufacturer, has seen resurgence in its business since the company passed into private ownership in 2006. Established in 1927, the company has its headquarters and factory in Cheltenham and is run by owner and managing director DavidArthur, who commented, “I am pleased to say that, partly as a result of introducing innovative NC machines equipped with the latest Siemens control to take the ‘black art’ out of honing, our turnover grew by over 50 per cent in the year to June 2011. “Manufacture of a larger variety of tooling and abrasive consumables also contributed to this success. Our goal is to double the size of the business over the next three years as a platform for moving even more strongly into global markets in the second half of the decade.” The company’s customer base incorporates international engineering names that have standardised on Delapena products for their honing requirements. Delapena’s commitment to the global marketplace has resulted in a joint venture in India and a subsidiary in the USA. Manufacturing resource planning software has been installed to streamline this important function. Last financial year saw further capital investment that added two vertical machining centres and a CNC lathe to the shop floor and strengthened the design department with new CAD software. The introduction of lean manufacturing and Honing Equipment,

Six Sigma methodologies, amongst other benefits, has seen reductions in component manufacturing times through re-engineering for CNC production. Virtually all components for the honing machines are now produced in-house rather than subcontracted, resulting in quality parts, lower costs and shortened lead times, giving full control over availability. Sheet metal fabrication for the machine build is also carried out on-site. All of the tooling, including ‘specials’, is made internally, not only for Delapena machines but for other manufacturers’ honing equipment as well. One of the latest new products is the high precision E2000S-XL long-series, small bore honing machine for fully programmable processing of gun barrels and other tubular components. A machine is currently in build for a rifle manufacturer, which will reduce a 5-hour manual honing cycle to a 21-minute automatic operation. The established E1000S and E2000S NC models are now equipped with the latest Siemens Simatic touch-screen control and remote diagnostics. A larger E3500S vertical machine has been introduced for highly accurate and repeatable honing across a wider spectrum of vertical applications. All of the machines are available with automated component loading/unloading options. There is still demand for manual honing, so Delapena has retained its Speedhone and Tubehone horizontal machines, while the vertically acting Powerhone is popular for such applications as honing ships’ engine

cylinder liners, compressor housings and aircraft components. Delapena’s business encompasses design and manufacture of accurate and repeatable honing machines and accessories; stocking of consumables and honing oils for rapid delivery; design, manufacture and refurbishment of standard and special tooling including many legacy tools for which drawings are still held; pre- and after- sales support, including applications engineering, customer training, spares and service; and commitment to the ongoing training of its own personnel to ensure a high level of expertise for the future. Delapena Honing Equipment Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1242 221246 Delapena E1000S fitted with the latest Siemens control system

Email: sales@delapena.co.uk Website: www.delapena.co.uk

The two new vertical machining centres in use on the shop floor at Cheltenham

94

J anuary 2012

www.read-tpt.com

›