Expanding our CNC turning capacity with a new XYZ lathe.
We’ve expanded our machine shop with a new XYZ CT 65 HD CNC lathe, fitted with a bar feeder.
This investment increases our CNC turning capacity, giving us greater flexibility to respond to customer requirements and keep more machining work in-house. It also supports our continued investment in automation and creates further opportunities for our employees to develop their skills.
More capacity to respond to your requirements
When an order increases, a project moves into production, or a requirement changes at short notice, you need a manufacturing partner with the capacity to respond.
Adding another CNC lathe gives us more flexibility when scheduling machining work. It frees up capacity across our machine shop, putting us in a stronger position to react to customer demand.
Our Director, Grant Barratt, explains:
“Our customers are at the centre of how we run the business. We need the capacity to respond as their requirements change, and this additional machine gives us greater flexibility to do so.
“Keeping more work in-house also gives us greater control over production, reducing our reliance on subcontractors and the additional costs that can bring. Alongside that, the investment gives our employees opportunities to broaden their skills and knowledge, adding value to their own development and to the business.”
Keeping more CNC machining in-house
Expanding our machine shop allows us to take greater control of production.
When we subcontract machining work, we depend on another company’s availability, schedules and pricing. Increasing our own capacity helps us reduce that reliance and the premiums associated with outsourcing.
It also allows us to coordinate machining more closely with the other processes taking place within our factory.
If your project combines turned components with sheet metal fabrication, welding or assembly, our teams can plan those stages together. This helps simplify communication and supplier management by consolidating more of your manufacturing requirements into one team.
What our new XYZ CNC lathe can produce
CNC turning shapes a component by rotating the material while cutting tools remove it to the required dimensions. We use this process to manufacture parts such as shafts, bosses, bushes and spacers, either as individual components or for incorporation into larger assemblies.
Our new XYZ CT 65 HD provides:
- A maximum turned diameter of 220 mm.
- A maximum turned length of 510 mm.
- 65 mm bar capacity.
- A 12-station VDI turret, providing multiple tool positions.
- Renishaw automatic tool setting.
- Siemens 828D ShopTurn control, supporting conversational programming and efficient set-up.
The manufacturer specifies positional accuracy of ±5 microns and repeatability of ±2 microns for the machine. These figures describe machine performance; we assess achievable tolerances for finished components against your drawing, material, and machining requirements.
The control and tool-setting features support our team when preparing individual jobs and repeat batches. We plan the tooling, machining sequence and inspection around each component’s requirements.
Using automation to improve production efficiency
We’ve specified our new lathe with a bar feeder as part of our continued investment in automation.
For suitable jobs, the feeder automatically supplies bar material to the machine, reducing the need for repeated manual loading between components. This helps us use our machining capacity more efficiently during batch production.
Our team manages the programming, tooling, process control and inspection. Automation supports that expertise by reducing repetitive material handling and improving production flow.
Creating opportunities for our employees
The investment also provides our employees with additional opportunities to expand their capabilities and knowledge.
As we develop our machine shop, our team can build experience with additional equipment, programming methods and automated processes. This supports their own progression while strengthening the expertise we can offer customers.
We see investment in people and technology as closely connected. The machine provides additional capacity, while our employees bring the judgment and practical skills needed to manufacture components to your requirements.
CNC turning is part of our complete manufacturing service
Our new lathe strengthens our CNC machining service alongside our wider in-house capabilities, including laser cutting, forming, welding, assembly and inspection.
Whether you need individual turned components, repeat batches or machining as part of a wider fabrication project, we can review your drawings and discuss how best to manufacture the parts.
Send your drawings to sales@grenville-engineering.co.uk or contact our engineering team today to discuss your next CNC turning project.