Leamington-Spa-based Mills CNC Ltd (
www.millscnc.co.uk), the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has supplied five new Doosan machines to Manchester-based Hyde Group Nuclear Ltd (HGNL), which is a dedicated nuclear business unit within the Hyde Group.
Three DNM 500 Mk II vertical machining centres and one Puma 2600Y multi-tasking lathe were installed in September 2014, and they were joined in January by a Mynx 7500/50 large-capacity heavy-duty vertical machining centre.
These machines are part of a significant investment to increase HGNL’s manufacturing capacity and its capability to support the nuclear industry.
Will Pearson, HGNL’s head of business development, said: “The objective is for HGNL to become a vertically integrated operation offering engineering, design-and-build and manufacturing services and solutions to the nuclear industry. A dedicated facility gives us the ability to control all aspects of the manufacturing process, enabling us to deliver the quality standards that the sector requires.”
HGNL’s five new Doosan machines are being used to machine high-precision complex parts in small to medium-size batches — from carbon steel and duplex stainless steels — for the company’s nuclear customers. The parts designed and manufactured by the company are varied and include components for shielded equipment, as well as special jigs and fixtures.
The Doosan DNM 500 Mk II machines were selected for their cutting performance and reliability. They feature an 18.5kW 12,000rev/min direct-drive BT 40 face-and-taper spindle, plus a large-capacity table. Meanwhile, the 10in-chuck Puma 2600Y has a 22kW 4,000rev/min main spindle, ±51mm Y axis and a 5.5kW 5,000rev/min driven-tool capability.
HGNL’s most recent VMC — the Mynx 7500/50 — features box guide-ways, a high-torque 22kW 6,000rev/min BT 50 face and taper spindle, and a 1,600 x 750mm table. This machine was selected for its ability to handle larger workpieces or to machine multiple smaller jobs in one set-up.
In conclusion, Mr Pearson says: “The investments made in upgrading our machining capabilities mean that we are well placed to achieve our vision of becoming the nuclear industry’s preferred manufacturing partner.”