New lathes for motor-sport exhaust manufacturer
Posted on 17 Apr 2014 and read 1727 times
Aylesbury-based Good Fabrications Ltd (Good Fabs) is a leading fabricator and manufacturer of high-performance exhaust systems for the motor-sport industry, with a customer list that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the ‘great and the good’ in the sector.
Integral to Good Fabs’ success over the years is its commitment to continuous improvement and strategic investment in new manufacturing technologies, a recent example of this being the company’s decision to increase its in-house machining capacity with two new Doosan lathes from Mills CNC Ltd, Leamington Spa (
www.millscnc.co.uk).
General manager Ross Allen says: “Although we are perhaps best known for our bending, fabrication and welding prowess, our exhaust systems also include many machined parts. These include jigs, fixtures and tooling through to actual components — such as rings, couplings and bosses — that are machined to exacting tolerances and surface finishes.
“In the past, we sub-contracted this work out to a select number of preferred machining specialists, but this meant that we were at the mercy of a third party. Moreover, the parts themselves are often characterised by their complexity and the need for absolute precision; plus they are often machined in small batches from difficult-to-machine materials — and lead times are always demanding.”
Good Fabs’ first new Doosan lathes — a Puma 2600 with a 10in chuck — was installed in September 2012; in January this year a Puma GT2100 with an 8in chuck and box guide-ways was installed.
“The parts we machine are mainly from inconel, but also stainless steel,” said Mr Allen. “They are supplied to our in-house fabrication/welding operation and have to be right first time — all the time. Our investment in Doosan machine tools is part and parcel of a continuous improvement business strategy that permeates throughout our organisation.”