Scottish subcontractor 247 Machining Services has added to its fleet of Yamazaki Mazak machines with the installation of a new multi-tasking five-axis machining centre.
Aberdeen-based 247 was founded by husband-and-wife director team, John and Aileen Forrest, in 2018 after 30 years working in the steel fabrication and engineering sector. The company specialises in providing performance-critical parts for the oil and gas industry, and traditionally produce low-volume, high-quality batches of components.
Having previously purchased multiple Mazak Quick Turn turning centres machines over the company’s three-year history, including a QT-Compact 200M and two QT-350MY machines, the Forrests have now invested in a Integrex i-400 full 5-axis multi-tasking machining centre, to increase the complexity of its production capabilities.
“When we first formed 247 Machining Services, we knew it was key to employ a highly skilled team of machine operators if we were to enjoy the strongest start possible,” explained John Forrest. “So, while we had found a premises to begin operations, we were reliant upon the recommendations of our employees when it came to specifying the right machine tools for the business.
“The quality machining offered by our existing QT turning centres meant that when we were looking to expand our portfolio further, Mazak was our first choice. We wanted to make the move into high-volume, high-quality batch machining for the oil and gas sector, and look at branching into additional industries in the future, and the Integrex fitted the bill.”
The Integrex i-series has a maximum machining diameter of 658 mm and is capable of processing on the X-, Z-, Y-, W-axes, the unit fits 247’s ambitions to produce a wider range of more complex parts.
Aileen Forrest said: “The lockdowns over 2020 and into 2021 obviously posed challenges, but as social restrictions have fallen away, the oil trade has really picked up and demand for parts has grown with that.”