Cambridgeshire-based Velocity Precision Ltd, a specialist in CNC machining and rapid prototyping, has recently undergone significant expansion under the guidance of its founders, James Brown and Glen Dawson. With a decade of experience and the initial purchase of their first Haas machine from Norwich-based Haas Automation Ltd, funded by personal loans, the pair have now grown the company into a team of 15 and expanded its operations by opening a second factory, effectively doubling the size of its floorspace.

Focusing on prototyping for the high-tech and scientific industries, Velocity Precision works closely with design consultancy companies taking CAD drawings through to the finished product. James and Glen were working together at a local company when they decided to take the plunge and set up their own business.

James said: “We wanted the independence to make our own decisions and to progress our careers. We had both worked on Haas CNC previously, so we knew them to be user-friendly and dependable. Haas was the obvious choice for us and our first machine purchase was a Mini Mill.”

The team’s expertise and commitment to investing in new equipment has enabled Velocity Precision to establish itself as a leading provider of prototyping services in its field. Its ‘state of the art’ facility, combined with a focus on precision and innovation, enables the company to meet the needs of its clients with high quality, reliable results.

James continued: “Our customer base is increasing, so we have been investing in more machines.” The pair began with the first Mini Mill and progressed to a Haas VF-2 vertical machining centre (VMC), followed by a Super Speed VMC with a 12,000rev/min spindle. They also acquired two Haas lathes, to make use of Glen’s turning expertise. Additionally, four-axis rotary tables and five-axis trunnion units have been added, and the latest acquisition, a Haas UMC-500, uses the skills honed on the company’s existing machines to realise the full potential of its 15,000rev/min spindle, full five-axis capability and 30-station side-mounted tool changer.

Impressive surface finish and increased speed
“Our first step into five-axis machining was with the Haas TRT160 trunnion. The impressive surface finish and increased speed it gave us translated into more enquires for that kind of work. The UMC-500 purchase was the next logical step; it is a real flagship machine for Haas. We can use high feed rates on 3-D machining and the speed is phenomenal — we can do so much more in one operation. Word gets around quickly, and we are now winning quotes simply by owning the machine. The footprint is the same as our VF-2, a small mill, so it takes up very little space for the parts it produces. We also really like the wireless probing and TCPC (Tool Centre Point Control), which make set ups so easy.”

Haas’ TCPC and probing capabilities are powerful tools that enhance precision and efficiency in machining. TCPC allows the machine to precisely locate the centre of rotation for rotary axes, which is crucial for accurate five-axis machining. Meanwhile, probing enables the machine to quickly and accurately measure workpieces, tool lengths, and even detect broken tools, all without manual intervention. By automating these processes, Haas machines can achieve greater precision and speed, reducing setup times and minimising errors. Overall, Haas' TCPC and probing capabilities make the UMC-500 highly versatile and efficient.

Velocity Precision’s prototyping services encompass a wide range of applications, from the development of specialised robots that can spray insulation under floorboards to the production of a torsion bar for the new Ford GT.

Glen said: “We made the prototype bar and the customer was so impressed they have just signed a massive contract with us. Being able to offer five-axis machining has given us the opportunity to win that business.”

Intricate work
In addition to serving high-tech and scientific industries, the company also collaborates with companies that lack the equipment required to perform intricate work.

Service response is a priority at Velocity Precision. Glen continued: “We have an annual service contract with Haas which gives us peace of mind and we have a good rapport with the engineers and sales team. There is always someone ready to help if we get stuck. We don’t need standard training with our new machines as our guys know them so well, so Haas let us use the time with the engineer learning something we do need. Last time we covered a new piece of CAM software.

“Haas have always made machines which are easy to use; the controls are universal so moving from one to another is a breeze – even from mill to lathe. The bed is just the right height and the windows let in a lot of light. Now with the Next Gen control they’ve gone to the next level. The increased memory means more programs can be stored and we can create directories now, which keeps everything tidy. We can keep all our regularly used programs on the machine, even for 3-D parts. It is like storage on a computer in that respect.”

He concluded: “We use the VM-3 for the highest tolerance work because it has the tightest ballscrew pitch. We are machining up to 0.001mm.” The VM-3 vertical mould maker has a generous work envelope, a multi-fixturing table and a 12,000rev/min inline direct-drive spindle. Our ethos is to invest in quality. We use Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software, with superior tooling and we use the latest cutting data to optimise our tools. We ensure we have the machines to match — they handle everything we throw at them. Haas always delivers!”