Gall Engineering has taken delivery of its tenth Yamazaki Mazak machine tool as it expands capacity and moves into renewables and geothermal work.
The QT-450 turning centre was recently delivered to its Kintore machine shop in Aberdeenshire, following the installation of an INTEGREX i-450 Multi-Tasking machine late last year.
The investment forms part of the company’s plans to diversify beyond its traditional oil and gas subcontracting work, which includes downhole and completion tooling and subsea equipment. Gall Engineering expects the new machine to support further work in renewables and geothermal applications.
Stewart Gall, managing director of Gall Engineering, said: “We operate 24/7 with 15 machinists, which means we’re running very close to capacity. The new QT-450 turning centre will allow us to increase capacity and take on more work in some of our target growth sectors.”
He added: “The oil and gas sector has been quieter this year, which has led to a pivot towards renewables and the Mazak machines have allowed us to accommodate this move.”
The company has used Mazak machines since 2010. Its machine shop includes models from the INTEGREX Multi-Tasking and VTC vertical machining centre ranges.
The QT-450 has an 18-inch chuck, a 2,000 rpm spindle and MAZATROL SmoothG CNC control. Mazak says its rigid construction helps minimise vibration during high-speed operation, improving surface finish and tool life.
“We’ve chosen to integrate Mazak across all our machining operations because of the MAZATROL conversational programming,” said Gall. “As a result, we’re able to move our 15 machinists around the machine shop to use different machines depending on the requirements of the job. This helps keep us productive and more efficient.”
Steven Hunter, director at Scotmaz Machine Tools, Yamazaki Mazak’s Scottish agent, said flexible machines and a common CNC control had helped Gall Engineering broaden its markets. Scotmaz has worked with the company on its machine purchases.
“Gall Engineering is a classic example of a subcontract engineering company that has been able to broaden its target markets via the strategic acquisition of flexible machines that can be used across multiple applications, coupled with the standardisation on a single CNC control that enables the company’s machinists to work across its entire machine portfolio. It’s been a pleasure to play a part in Gall Engineering’s success and we look forward to continuing the partnership.”