A move to CNC machining

Spa Aluminium has installed an XYZ ProtoTRAK LPM (Lean Production Machine).

This is a 15hp/8000rev/min BT40 vertical spindle machine with axis travels in X, Y and Z of 785, 470 and 530mm, respectively. It features linear guides and has rapid feeds in all three axes of 20m/min.

A customer making kitchen furniture prompted the move into CNC machining, as Richard Godbolt, operations director, explains: "We were supplying this customer with aluminium extrusions in various profiles but caps that join the lengths together were being provided by someone else.We thought we could make these parts at a more competitive price while eliminating problems with late deliveries." The LPM supplied is XYZ's first ProtoTRAK-equipped machine to have an automatic tool changer, which holds up to 16 tools. Another key feature is an integral ball lock system machined into its 900 by 500mm table, which provides a highly repeatable and accurate workholding mechanism.