Somerset-based Burnett & Hillman, a manufacturer of hydraulic adaptors and associated fittings, has recently invested in a fourth Miyano BNA-42GTY CNC lathe to meet demand.

The company has a standard range of over 4,500 different machined parts, and its machine shop processes around 40,000
components a day (consuming 200 tonnes of mild steel a month).

Based in Wrington, south of Bristol, the family-owned business still uses multi-autos for high-volume work.

For smaller batch sizes and samples, it has added a number of turn-mill centres to its production capability, including five Miyano multi-axis machines from Bushey-based Citizen Machinery UK Ltd (www.citizenmachinery.co.uk).

The Miyano ABX-51TH3 (with two spindles and three all-driven 12-station tool turrets) installed in 2008 was followed by three smaller-capacity Miyano BNA-42GTY machines between 2015 and 2017, and the fourth BNA-42GTY was commissioned in October 2018.

Dan Burnett, general manager, said: “We face ever-increasing demands for non-standard parts, smaller batches plus in-house store top-ups, and quality is our customers’ prime requisite.

The installation of the ABX-51TH3 gave us far greater levels of flexibility and — most importantly — consistency of production.”

As a result, Burnett & Hillman made the decision to standardise on Miyano fixed-head turn-mill centres for smaller bar work (up to 42mm).

They give the company the ability to achieve ‘enquiry to quote’ within 12-24hr.

A new turned adaptor or fitting can often be supplied within two weeks, and an out-and-out special within four weeks.