Southam-based Engineering Technology Group (www.engtechgroup.com) has recently installed a third Quaser VMC at the nearby premises of 2G Tooling Ltd, which specialises in automotive ‘body in white’ press tools and fixtures.

One of the earlier machines is the UK’s largest-capacity Quaser — an MV 234 P VMC, which has a work envelope of 2,000 x 762 x 661mm.

2G partner Chris Peters, who started the business with his brother in January 2015, says: “We have a lot of experience in this sector, and we were determined from the outset not to fall short in terms of machining capacity. Since starting the business, we have employed an additional tool maker and an apprentice — and bought three Quasers.

“The first two machines — an MV 234 P and an MV 184 P — have been fantastic, even though I had not heard of Quaser before speaking to ETG. When we landed a large order with a short lead time, we needed additional capacity immediately. The new MV 214 P fitted the bill perfectly, particularly as it is fitted with the latest Heidenhain ITNC530 control.

“We mostly machine tool steels such as Uddeholm Holdax and SV21, although some parts are machined from aluminium. We also do a fair amount of prototyping, offering customers a full CAD-to-machining service using VISI design and machining software. These days, pre-build tools have to produce parts that meet similar standards to the final production parts, so we value the accuracy and repeatability that the Quaser VMCs offer us.”

Mr Peters is confident that 2G Tooling is starting to fill a niche in an industry that has largely moved overseas. “We can be highly flexible and work very closely with our customers — to the point that they often visit
to watch us and contribute to prototyping.

“The fact we have invested in further machining capacity and have the ability to machine parts over 2m long demonstrates that we mean business — and customers know they have a reliable UK-based resource on their doorstep.”