Super-heavyweight VMC proves a knockout

Achieving annual growth of approximately 10% year on year, Lancashire-based Alan Dick Engineering has invested in an XYZ 2010 super-heavyweight vertical machining centre to help unlock new opportunities and support ongoing progress.

Established in 1975, Alan Dick offers a wide range of subcontract machining and fabrication services. With this one-stop engineering capability, the firm specialises in bespoke, quick-turnaround services for the industries that include nuclear, offshore, marine, food, construction and chemical, among others.

Opportunity knocks

Managing Director Steve Evans sees his investment as offering a fantastic opportunity to support his existing customer base through greater capacity, while simultaneously extending the company’s reach to a wider industry audience.

“We’ve worked hard at growing the business over the past few years, but we need to continue making investments in our in-house capabilities to maintain an upward trajectory,” he reveals. “The XYZ 2010 machining centre is one small part of a recent spend that has included building a dedicated fabrication workshop at the side of our main factory.”

The purchase of the 2010 VMC, which offers 2,000 x 1,000 mm of travel in the X and Y axis respectively, complements other XYZ machines already on site. These include ProtoTRAK-controlled turret mills, ProtoTRAK-controlled flat-bed lathes and a CT65 LTY CNC turning centre.

Buying into progress

When asked about the purchase decision for the 2010 VMC, Steve says: “We’re incredibly happy with our XYZ products and the service that XYZ provides. Machine reliability has been superb, and this is borne out by an XYZ CNC 4000 bed mill in our shop. This machine, which was supplied back in 1999, is still going strong and is testament to the quality of XYZ products.”

But it’s not just Steve who appreciates the opportunities available now the new XYZ 2010 is up and running. Mike Prady, one of the machine operators at Alan Dick Engineering, is also seeing the gains: “The machine is allowing us to be more efficient. In particular, the Siemens 828D control with ShopMill conversational software is taking away many of the programming tasks required on our old large mill. In terms of performance, the BT40 spindle with its 42 kW motor has allowed us to decrease cycle times by increasing cutting data.”

He continues: “Where we’re really seeing the savings is in the manufacture of larger parts where the 1,000 mm Y-axis travel eliminates multiple set ups. The extra handling to machine the large rings we often process added throughput time, which is now eliminated as we can produce the features in one set up.”

Attracting attention

The closing comment goes to Steve: “This is a large investment for our business, but I know it was the right machine to support our continued growth. It will also help us entice skilled machinists and apprentices to Alan Dick Engineering by extending the appeal of working in our machine shop. All of our current machinists want to get on the XYZ 2010 and use the latest technology, which tells its own story.”