MNB Precision Ltd, a precision machining specialist in Coventry, has recently invested in two new high-performance Doosan machines supplied by Leamington Spa-based Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland.

The two machines — a large-capacity Doosan SMX 3100 multi-tasking mill-turn machine and a Doosan DNM 6700 vertical machining centre — were installed at MNB’s 36,000ft² facility last month.

The new additions form part of a larger new technology investment package that, over the next seven months, will see MNB Precision purchase four further Doosan machines; two lathes a vertical machining centre and a mill-turn machine.

By the end of the year MNB Precision will have 20 Doosan machines in its inventory - a sizeable proportion of the company’s 55 total machine-tool resource.

Elliot Benton, MNB commercial director, said: “We are committed to continuous improvement and, as such, are no strangers to making strategic and prudent investments in advanced manufacturing and machining technologies.

“The sectors where we operate are ultra-competitive and the investments we make are all intended to help us improve our quality, productivity and operational efficiencies.”

The Doosan SMX 3100 is a high-productivity, multi-tasking mill-turn machine equipped with a 12in chuck and features a 30kW/4,000rev/min spindle, a B-axis milling spindle, a 40-tool magazine, a servo-driven tailstock, linear scales and the latest Fanuc 31iB5 control.

As part of the investment package the machine was supplied with a SLU-X4 steady rest, which in conjunction with the tailstock, enables the reliable and high-accuracy machining of long workpieces.

The SMX 3100 is the first Doosan mill-turn machine acquired by MNB, but the company is no stranger to the technology itself.

One-hit machining
Mr Benton continued: “Mill-turn technology enables us to machine complex, high-precision parts in one hit. The technology can make jobs, previously considered unprofitable, a more attractive proposition and helps significantly reduce job set-up and part-cycle times.

“The investment in the SMX 3100 has been made specifically to machine high-precision low alloy steel oil and gas components, required in large volumes, for a customer in Norway.

“The SMX 3100 is a powerful, flexible and accurate mill-turn centre. The price and performance of the machine, its reputation in the market and the fact that it is backed by Mills CNC’s after-sales service and support made the investment decision a relatively straightforward one to make.”

Meanwhile, the DNM 6700 is a large-capacity vertical machining centre equipped with a 12,000ev/min directly coupled spindle, a 30-position ATC, roller LM guideways and thermal compensation systems. It also features the latest Fanuc 0iMP control with an advanced touchscreen iHMI. To increase productivity and ensure machining flexibility the DNM 6700 was supplied with an integrated 4th/5th axis rotary table.

Mr Benton added: “We invested in a Doosan DNM 5700 vertical machining centre in 2017 and can vouch for the machine’s accuracy, speed and reliability. The latest investment provides us with larger axes travels of 1,300 x 670 x 625mm and a working table of 1,500 x 670mm.

“The DNM 6700 increases the machining capacity of i8 Ltd - a new, precision engineering subsidiary we created and absorbed into MNB in 2019, following the purchase of the assets of Integr8 - a local engineering sub-contractor. The machine was initially acquired to machine complex parts for a water treatment customer.”

MNB Precision purchased its first Doosan machine in 2012 - a large-capacity Puma 800XL lathe. Since then the company has regularly invested in Doosan lathes and machining centres all supplied by Mills CNC.

Mr Benton explained: “Doosan machine tools deliver best-in-class performance. They are reliable and are competitively priced. In addition, the machines are sold, serviced and supported by Mills CNC, a a company we have developed a good relationship with over the years.

“The company’s technical back-up and applications support is second to none and is one of the major reasons why we have continued to invest in Doosan machines.”