The extra machining capacity offered by its new Hartford machining centre and Hyundai-Wia two-axis CNC lathe — supplied by Ward CNC (
www.wardcnc.com) — is enabling Glasgow-based precision machinist Well Machined to boost its order book by taking on larger components.
With the Blockbuster Pro 3150 double-column vertical machining centre offering an X-axis capacity of more than 3m and the L400LC slant-bed lathe providing maximum turning lengths and diameters of more than 2m and 640mm respectively, these new machines have played a key role in enabling Well Machined to win orders for work on long gauge carriers for down-hole tooling applications.
According to sales director Paul Rafferty, this investment was a case of “build it and they will come, because the new machines immediately attracted larger-capacity work from our existing customer base.
“There is no doubt that the global oil and gas market is suffering; without these machines, we would be finding it a much tougher business environment.”
A number of different brands were assessed before contact was made with Ward CNC — a company that Mr Rafferty had successfully dealt with in the past.
“In addition to these two machines being considered fit for purpose and excellent value for money, what really sealed the order was the fact that both were immediately available from stock. I could see that the oil and gas component-machining market was going to be ‘squeezed’, and I knew that we would miss out if we didn’t move quickly.”
The gauge carriers — used for measuring down-hole temperatures and pressures — are made from various materials, including super duplex and Inconel.
Well Machined’s oil and gas component workload also includes down-hole tooling assemblies, gauge and gas lift mandrels, pup joints and penetrator bonnets, as well as orientation and helix sleeves.