Turning centre CNC speeds transmission machining
March 30th 2009 10:42 pm By Web Development in India
RT Quaife Engineering has converted the entire turning section of its manufacturing facility using machines and control systems from Yamazaki Mazak.
For over 40 years, Sevenoaks-based RT Quaife Engineering has been developing specialist transmission systems for motor sport teams.
Investment in machine tool technology is helping to maintain that position.
Quaife’s client base ranges from the enthusiast, through professional teams right up to the OEMs including Ford, General Motors and Daimler Chrysler.
Quaife’s latest OEM success has been the development of the differential that will be used in the latest Ford to take the RS name, the RS Focus.
Quaife has always adopted the latest NC and CNC at the earliest opportunity.
‘Our early decisions to buy on price did not necessarily deliver the value/performance that was required, so some 3-4 years ago, Quaife began the process of converting its entire turning section at its Otford, Sevenoaks manufacturing facility over to Mazak,’ said Mick Quaife, technical director, RT Quaife Engineering.
‘This change was driven by the quality of the machines available from Mazak and a desire to move to a more user-friendly control system.
‘The quality of the Mazak machines was defined with the first five machines that we bought, which came with a good warranty.
‘We only had to call out Mazak’s service department once, and the problem was solved quickly and efficiently,’ added Quaife.
Even though the switch to the Mazatrol Matrix control system was a step change in progress from existing systems, it was found to be extremely easy to use and operators quickly came to terms with the conversational programming.
‘We have had a number of different control systems over the years,’ said Glen Molineux, general manager, RT Quaife Engineering.
‘The Mazatrol system has proved to be very easy to adapt to and we have seen improvements in set-up times as a result.’ Quaife’s latest purchase, which was delivered just three months ago, is a Mazak Quick Turn Nexus 250-II MY, equipped with optional bar feed unit.
As standard the machine features a 4,000rev/min 26kW turning spindle, with a 12-position turret with live tooling capability at each position.
When combined with the 100mm Y-axis, maximum turning diameter is 380mm while the maximum length that can be machined is 580mm.
This latest machine, along with the other five Mazak Quick Turn Nexus machines installed at Quaife, will be used to produce a wide variety of transmission components, including gear blanks and shafts for use in its range of gearboxes and differentials.