As part of its ongoing investment strategy, Bolton-based Velden Engineering (UK) Ltd has ordered a Nakamura-Tome NTY3-150 twin-spindle three-turret turning centre from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The new machine — scheduled for delivery in January 2022 — will be the fifth Nakamura-Tome turning centre purchased by Velden, which offers a complete range of services that include CNC machining, laser cutting, water-jet cutting, sheet metalwork, assembly, product build, busbar production, and design and development.

It was in 2012 that Velden acquired its first Nakamura-Tome turning centre, a WT100 twin-spindle twin-turret machine that aligned with the company’s strategy of replacing of older machines with modern multi-tasking machines that could reduce the number of operations and improve efficiency.

Lee Valentine, Velden’s plant manager, said: “Originally, Velden was looking to buy a different brand of machine but we were impressed by a Nakamura WT100 we saw at an exhibition; and when we learned that the next generation of this machine was about to be launched — one with a new large screen windows-based control — the purchasing decision was made and we became one of the first companies to take delivery of this next generation machine.”

Additional flexibility
In 2013, and after winning a new contract, Velden bought a larger Nakamura-Tome — a WT150II twin-spindle twin-turret turning centre with a Y axis on the upper turret. This machine was selected over a second WT100 as it could cater for a wider range of parts and provide additional flexibility. In 2017, the company needed additional machining capacity and sought anotherWT150II.

Taking up the story, Mr Valentine said: “Unfortunately, there were no machines available in European stock, and we thought we might need to look at other machines. ETG stepped in and won the order for a second WT150II on the back of offering to loan us a different model of machine — a Nakamura AS200 that was in stock and would help us meet production demands while waiting for delivery of the WT150II.

“While the AS200 was not as efficient as the WT150II for most of our work, we found that on certain lower volume projects it was quicker to set up and program. As such, when our second WT150II arrived, we did a deal with ETG to also purchase the AS200 that we had been loaned.” 

As part of its continuous improvement strategy, the company has now decided to replace its oldest Nakamura, the first WT100 machine that arrived almost a decade ago.

Mr Valentine continued: “We received an offer to sell our original WT100 and we felt it would be a good opportunity to replace our oldest Nakamura with a brand new WT150II.

“However, many of the enquiries we are now getting are for parts in slightly higher volumes with increased complexity and also above the size that can be accommodated by our current sliding-head machines. As a three-turret machine, each with a Y axis, the Nakamura NTY3-150 machine will allow to do even more simultaneous machining — and in shorter cycle times.”