Yorkshire-based machine
tools provider, PTG Heavy
Industries, has designed and
manufactured two Binns &
Berry lathes for producing the
critical components for the
world’s largest mining shovels,
each capable of loading a 500t
dump truck in just three
minutes. The order was secured
against stiff competition
from Italian and German
manufacturers and the machines
have now been installed
in the US and China.

The challenges presented
to PTG were many and
complex, involving multiaxes,
heavy duty milling and
drilling, a massive thread and
$50,000 forging. Total
precision and a high quality
surface finish were also very
high on the customer’s
agenda.

The two special Binns &
Berry VT7 twin saddle lathes,
will be used to manufacture
major components such as
the main shipper shaft, centre
gudgeon and crawler drive
shafts, the machines’ unique
specification having been
developed by PTG in close
collaboration with the
customer.