Coventry-based Pailton Engineering (
www.pailton.com), a steering systems specialist, has invested in a high-specification Hass VF-2SS vertical machining centre to boost its production and design capabilities. This latest purchase suppled by Norwich-based Haas Automation Ltd (
www.haas.co.uk) is part of Pailton’s long-term modernisation strategy, to improve the manufacturing flexibility for its made-to-order steering components and boost production levels.
Chosen specifically for its wide range of tooling and automation capabilities, the ‘super speed’ Haas machine combines multiple processes into one unit. At 12,000rpm, this CNC machine mills and drills faster than previous models and the toolchanger can switch at high speed between the 31 tools it can hold on board.
The new Haas VF-2SS is known in the industry for its usability and it has a wireless probing system that simplifies the set-up process and reduces downtime. For Pailton Engineering machine operators, this means that they can upload data from CAD files more easily.
The machining centre will improve the engineering firm’s design flexibility as it is not only a CNC machine but also inter-connected; it can be connected wirelessly to the internet to monitor the status of machine health and performance off-site on a mobile phone, tablet or other portable device. In the longer-term, this machine will constitute another step for Pailton Engineering on its Industry 4.0 pathway.
Roger Brereton, head of sales at Pailton Engineering, said: “Our customers build vehicles that operate in the harshest environments — on- or off-road and to build steering systems that excel in these conditions, we need the most modern machinery. With the new Haas, our engineers can make design changes faster and we can produce more efficiently — while always working to the high standards we are known for.”
Pailton Engineering manufactures a wide range of steering and suspension parts, including steering shafts, columns, suspension links and bevel boxes for manufacturers of commercial and military vehicles.
For more information on the custom design and engineering options available to vehicle manufacturers, contact .