Macro CNC sells a twin spindle, three-turret, 10-axis Miyano turning centre with 51mm bar capacity to Irish precision turned/milled components manufacturer, Mann Engineering.

The recent MACH exhibition at the Birmingham NEC proved the ideal opportunity for Mann Engineering of County Wexford, Ireland to become familiar with its new purchase - a Miyano ABX-51TH2 turning centre from Macro CNC. This twin spindle, three-turret, 10-axis Miyano turning centre with 51mm bar capacity has the manufacturing capability to produce complex/high-value parts efficiently in a single setup; the main reason behind the purchase. Mann Engineering specialises in the manufacture of precision turned/milled components for diverse industrial sectors.

Additionally the company designs and manufactures lathe bar feed systems and specialist tooling/fixturing systems for manufacturing applications.

A primary objective for the company will be market penetration into the highly competitive and demanding medical device sector.

Mann Engineering started purchasing CNC machine tools at MACH 2002 and has since acquired ten CNC machines, two of which are Miyano ABX-51TH2 machines.

Rolf Fuhrmann, managing director, commented: 'Since the introduction of the first Miyano, we have been able to produce parts in a single set-up with minimal labour involvement'.

'There are no second operations and this dramatically reduces cycle times when combined with increased product quality it enables the company to directly compete with off-shore competitors.' The first Miyano ABX-51TH2 was bought at MACH 2004 and was one of the first Miyano ABX machines sold in Europe.

The third turret on the machine has provided the company with sustainable productivity improvements in the order of 20%-30% and with such impressive results, it is no surprise the company has opted for a second machine.

The second Miyano ABX-51TH2 turn/mill centre was installed and commissioned the week after MACH 2006.

With this latest state-of-the-art machine the lower tooling turret, usually dedicated to the left spindle, can now be deployed on either spindle.

This additional manufacturing facility further enhances the manufacturing capability within the company and facilitates the company focus of providing cost-effective, high value added and high quality components to their expanding customer base.

With a solid order book and a customer base in excess of 50, the company sees investment in innovation and high specification machine tools, not only as the way forward but the only way to survive in such competitive times.

The commitment of Mann Engineering is summarised by John Stretton, general manager of Macro CNC: 'most subcontractors have a threshold and will work with 6- to 8-axis machines, but will go no further'.

'For Mann Engineering, like any other machine shop, it takes a massive leap of faith to invest in a 10-axis three turret fixed head machines.

For companies like Mann Engineering that are willing to take technology to the next level, the benefits can be remarkable.

This type of investment will enable Irish companies to level the playing field against cheaper foreign economies.' An example of this can be seen in the cycle time reductions at Mann Engineering.

One particular component previously taking 2 min 30s and four operations to complete is now being completed in 25s in a single operation.

Another job taking 20 minutes and five operations; it is now produced in 8 minutes complete on the Miyano ABX-51TH2.

Mann Engineering with the purchase of this additional Miyano ABX-51TH2 is proactively establishing itself.

The company fully realises the crucial role of CAD/CAM and co-ordinate measurement systems required to complement these CNC resources.

To address these issues the company has embarked on an InterTrade Ireland, Fusion graduate development programme in association with the University of Ulster, Belfast.

The primary objective of this cross-border programme will be to focus on business improvements, the integration of CAD/CAM systems and a CMM inspection facility.

'As a company we are committed to establishing continual productivity improvements.

Single hit machining and rapid changeovers together with the rigidity and additional power provided by the Miyano machines enables us to manufacture significantly more efficiently than any competitors in the Irish market.