Tooling technology boost 5-axis service

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East Sussex based UHV Design has invested in workholding technology that will allow to to give customers the maximum benefit from its 5-axis CNC machining capacity.

One of the company’s key capabilities is the manufacture of components for university and government research laboratories.

“A lot of what we do is bespoke to the application and has to work in an Ultra High Vacuum environment whilst still providing motion and manipulation…typically these components will end up in scientific experiments like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider,” explained David Heward, Machine Shop Manager at UHV Design, part of AIM-listed Judges Scientific.

“We have grown 15% over the last twelve months and the future pipeline was rich with opportunities that necessitated investment in new technology and the purchase of our first 5-axis machine, which we sourced from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).”

He continued: “The Quaser MF500UH was equipped with a 15k ‘face and taper’ spindle and a 48-strong carousel that allows us to store 80% of all our tools in the one machine – ideal for reducing changeover times and reducing secondary operations. However, to make the most of it we needed to find the right tooling system.”

The company turned to  workholding specialist Hyfore to source a dedicated tooling system.

Working closely together, the two companies identified a £30,000 Acrow package that provides the control, flexibility and speed required to cope with increasing volumes in the machining shop.

The solution focused on interchangeable NR collets that would be used exclusively on this machine and tend to be smaller in diameter, offering greater contact with the components, improved tool life and the ability to move freely around tight clearance spaces.

“Its engineers spent a lot of time at our East Sussex base looking at the components we were planning to machine, before identifying the package that best suited what we were trying to achieve.”

Hyfore, which offers a large selection of bespoke jigs, fixtures, gauges and workholding systems, used its exclusive UK distribution agreement with Acrow to devise a 30-strong tooling system.

This solution was trialled on an existing machine and the results – combined with competitive pricing and excellent lead times – were enough to secure the business from UHV Design.

The core Acrow range comprises specialist NR, HC and CH (milling) tool holders, which have all been designed for high-speed precision manufacturing.

www.hyfore.com

www.uhvdesign.com

Picture: Oli Riley (Hyfore) with David Heward (UHV Design)

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