A new subcontract machining firm has purchased a Hurco VM5i to help it undertake small batch manufacture and project work.
Coventry-based Overstone Engineering brought the 3-axis vertical machining centre (VMC) for its compact footprint of slightly over 1.6 x 2.2m, working envelope of 457 x 356 x 356mm and height of less than two metres tall with its ram lowered.
Richard Dunn, company owner, said: “I could not offer contract machining services during a two-year exclusion period after selling my previous company, Drurys Engineering in Hitchin. Now that I am free to re-enter the industry, I have chosen the Hurco VMC for its size and capability.”
Installed and commissioned in January 2017, a number of contracts were completed on the VM5i in the first five months of operation, involving materials from nylon and aluminium to phosphor-bronze and steels. Shortly after installation, a contract was won for the production of a robotic test rig to be used for non-destructive testing in the aerospace industry. Most recently, the machine was used to produce a single assembly made largely of phosphor bronze for an unspecified application.
A majority of Overstone Engineering's work is programmed directly at the control using Hurco's conversational programming software. In this case, however, it was simpler to export a DXF file from Mr Dunn's OneCNC CAD package and use the DXF facility in the Hurco control to generate the cutter paths automatically.
Mr Dunn added: “Besides its compactness, another benefit of the Hurco machine is the high level of technology built into its control software. In addition to having the option of a module that allows native handling of DXF files, it can accept externally written G-code for milling 3D freeform surfaces.
“Ultimotion software was supplied as part of the package, giving fast, smooth, dynamic motion that is exceptional for such a low-cost machine and greatly helps to reduce cycle times and improve surface finish.”
Overstone Engineering's target market is the design, production and assembly of items that disrupt activities on other manufacturers' shop floors. Typically, they include machining of prototypes in ones and twos, small-volume milling and turning and electro-mechanical assembly.