A UK injection mould tool specialist has recently invested in a high-speed milling machine and a high-performance milling machine to increase capacity and overall manufacturing flexibility.

Buckinghamshire-based injection mould tool specialist - Precision Moulds and Tools (PM and T) - has recently invested in a high-speed milling machine (HSM) and a high-performance milling machine (HPM) from AgieCharmilles GF. The vertical machining centres - a Mikron HSM 800 and a Mikron VCP 800W Duro - have been installed (September 2006) at the company's 10,000ft2, purpose-built facility in Aylesbury, UK - and provide PM and T with a significant increase in machining capacity and capability as well as improving the company's overall manufacturing flexibility. PM and T, established in 1991 by joint managing directors Michael Rush and Paul Newton - and now employing 20 people in the UK - is a market-leading design and manufacturer of complex, high-precision mould tools.

The company has an international reputation for the quality and the sophistication of its tooling solutions (single through to multi-impression) and has a global customer base (US, Far East, Europe, etc) covering a diverse range of industry sectors - medical devices, electronics, white goods, cosmetics, etc * Total solutions - PM and T provides total systems solutions to its customers.

This does not just include the manufacture of complex single and multi-cavity production precision tooling - but also involves working in consultation with customers to develop and design mould tool concepts and prototypes - and providing pre-production testing and sampling services.

The company also has comprehensive mould tool modification and repair capabilities.

This 'concept through to completion' approach helps differentiate PM and T from the competition - it also helps explain the company's continuing growth and success.

Said Rush: 'The days when tool makers just 'made' things are over.

Customers not only expect (and demand) high-quality, reduced lead times and cost competitiveness from their tooling supplier - they are also looking, in many instances, to work in collaboration with them - sharing expertise, shortening design-to-manufacture processes and lead times - and minimising risk.' This pragmatic and strategic approach to business is evident across all of PM and T's operations.

* New technology - forward-looking and forward-thinking companies make prudent and timely investments in new technology - and PM and T is a case in point.

Already equipped with state-of-the-art CNC machine tool technology that includes suites of EDM machines (both wire and sink) located in the company's designated EDM manufacturing cells - PM and T has now invested in Mikron advanced milling technology.

Saidl Newton: 'The 2 new Mikron machines were selected for specific (and different) machining applications and operations.

The HSM 800 is a 3-axis High-Speed (HSM) milling machine.

It is being used to hard machine (steel) mould inserts that are often characterised by their intricate forms and micro features.

The machine is also used to manufacture copper electrodes for our spark erosion machines.' The HSM 800 supplied has a high-speed 36,000 rev/min High Torque spindle 20Nm (HSK 50E) and can achieve surface finishes of 0.2 micron Ra and accuracies of +/-6 micron (ISO 230 standard).

The machine's speed, accuracy and surface finish have resulted in less reliance on EDM spark erosion machining (often a slower process), higher productivity and the elimination of time spent polishing the moulds.

The VCP 800W Duro is also a 3-axis machining centre and is being used on larger mould tools for roughing out operations - where the emphasis is on accurate high volumetric removal.

The machine has a 20,000 rev/min spindle (HSK 63A), 30 position automatic tool changer and rigid work table (900 x 600mm).

Both machines feature the powerful Heidenhain iTNC 530 control plus SMART technology software for improved process reliability and performance (Intelligent Thermal Compensation - ITC; Advanced Process System - APS) and laser tool measurement and workpiece probes - both fitted as options.

As well as both machines fitting PM and T's requirements - the after-sales service provided by Agie Charmilles was also important in the purchase decision.

Said Rush: 'We have a long relationship with AgieCharmilles GF (owing to our Charmilles wire edm machines) - and value the after-sales services that are provided.'