Colt Precision has invested in a new large capacity vertical machining centre with a five-axis tilting table as it continues its drive into new markets such as aerospace and defence.
The Doosan DNM 6700 vertical machining centre was supplied by Mills CNC with a Nikken 5AX 201FA rotary tilting table to help increase its capabilities and application potential.
Since being installed the DNM 6700 has been used to machine a range of high-precision and, often exceedingly, complex parts for the medical devices, defence, aerospace and general engineering sectors.
These parts, made from a diverse range of materials that include Stainless Steels, steel, aluminium, titanium, plastics etc., are machined, in relatively small volumes that include prototypes and one-offs.
Owner and co-director, Simon Tarrant, says: “When we acquired Colt Precision in 2014 our objective was to create a world-class manufacturing company machining and producing high-precision and competitively-priced components delivered to customers in budget and on time…every time.
“We made the decision, owing to our background and previous experience, to focus on the medical devices sector and did everything we could to grow the business, build a strong reputation in the market for precision and perfection, and cultivate a growing and loyal customer base.”
To help with its objectives the company achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certification (a QMS specifically designed for medical device manufacture) and embarked on a strategic investment programme that, over the past seven years, has seen it significantly improve its manufacturing capacity and, perhaps more importantly, its capabilities too.
“In 2016 and 2018 (respectively) we strengthened our CNC milling operations by investing in two multi-axis machining centres,” continues Mr Tarrant. “The ability to machine parts in one hit has helped us reduce part cycle times, improve lead times and become more competitive.”
Since 2014 the company has also invested in wire EDM and laser marking technologies, created an in-house passivation plant, improved its inspection facilities and, in 2019, acquired its first Doosan machine tool - a Lynx 2100LSYB lathe with integrated Y-axis and driven tooling capabilities.
Following an internal audit undertaken in 2018 specifically focused on company sales, the future sales pipeline, existing customers etc., the company made a conscious decision to gradually reduce its dependence on the medical devices sector.
It was clear that, with 80% of business directly, or indirectly, linked to this one sector, any future reduction in demand or market downturn could, and would, leave Colt Precision exposed and vulnerable.
Mr Tarrant says: “Before the Covid-19 outbreak we had already successfully begun to diversify our operations and had, for example, won significant and repeat machining orders from aerospace and defence customers.
“The quality procedures and processes we had in place combined with our commitment to best-practice and improvement proved essential in our ability to reposition the company and achieve a more ‘balanced’ business.”
Having said that the pandemic outbreak did have a significant impact on Colt Precision’s business with many of its remaining medical device customers cancelling and postponing orders - often at a moment’s notice.
“We made the strategic decision not to hope or wait for the medical market to save us and instead got on the front foot…made the decision to stay open…and promote, digitally and through word of mouth , our expertise and range services to existing customers and new prospects.”
By Summer 2020 Colt Precision had weathered the storm and was fast on its way to diversifying its customer base.
Says Simon Tarrant: “Not that long ago 80% of our turnover was derived from the medical sector. It’s now more like 40%.”
This led to a review of the company’s CNC capacity and the decision to invest in the new machine.
Says Simon Tarrant: “The DNM 6700 is a large, powerful machine. It is also extremely rigid, accurate and reliable too.
“All of these attributes make it ideal for machining a wide range of parts from an equally diverse range of materials.”