Rapid growth underpinned by investment in XYZ machines

Buckinghamshire-based CR Engineering Works (Waddesdon) Ltd, a manufacturer of precision components for a wide range of applications, including X-ray machines, bottle-filling machines, bath lifts and specialist laser machinery. The company which recently moved to a new facility in Wotton Underwood near Aylesbury, can trace its roots back to 1947 when it was originally established as a watchmaker.

The company was bought by current managing director and former employee Matthew Boyt in 2020 and since then has had a programme of investment in machines supplied by Devon-based XYZ Machine Tools to meet strong demand for its services.

Mr Boyt said: “Before I bought the company and worked as an employee, the previous owner Colin Rapsey was already a customer of XYZ Machine Tools, having installed the very first XYZ machine in 1998. All the staff liked and were familiar with the ProtoTRAK controls and, the machines themselves had proved their reliability and return on investment, so it was an easy decision to continue working with the machine tool supplier as the business has grown.”

For turning, the company currently has three XYZ machines: a CT65 HD lathe with 66mm capacity Hydrafeed bar feed system, Siemens 828D ShopTurn touchscreen control and tool-setting probe; a Proturn RLX425 gap bed lathe with 480mm swing and 2,500rev/min spindle, both purchased in July 2022; and a ProTURN SLX 355 with 1,000mm between centres.

For milling, the company has four XYZ machines: a KMX 2000 turret mill with X/Y travels of 762 x 380mm; an RMX 3500 bed mill with ProtoTRAK RMX control, with X, Y and Z travels of 787 x 508 x 508mm, and a 5,000rev/min spindle; an RMX 5000 with ProtoTRAK RMX control, with X, Y and Z travels of 1,524 x 596 x 584mm and a 7.5hp programmable variable speed head; and the company’s latest acquisition, an XYZ 1100 HD vertical machining centre.

Mr Boyt added: “The XYZ 1100 HD is my dream machine, and it would not fit in our previous factory. We moved to our new premises in August 2022, expanding our operation to 3,600ft². Purchasing this machine was one of the first things I did. We can fit three vices on the bed so typically we can machine multi-sided parts in one set-up, simply moving and turning them from one vice to the next to produce a finished part straight off the one machine. Not only does this save on handling, but it also improves accuracy and quality.”

The XYZ 1100 HD comes with a 33hp 10,000rev/min spindle, a 1,200 x 600mm table and a Siemens 828D ShopMill 15in touchscreen control or a Heidenhain TNC 620 control.

C R Engineering’s move to its new factory was orchestrated by XYZ’s haulage, moving all the machinery and installing the new RMX 5000 in the space of just 1.5 days. Mr Boyt continued: “To recommission all the machines and install the new RMX 5000 so quickly minimised our downtime and was an impressive feat. Even better, the RMX 5000 paid for itself with the first job we put on it.”

The company specialises in small batch quantities between about two and 200 parts in a wide range of materials including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass, acetel and nylon. Programming is all carried out on the machine control, taking advantage of the easy ProtoTRAK, ShopMill and ShopTurn interactive conversational programming.

Mr Boyt explained: “We find this works well for the small batch quantities we make. However, a really useful feature is the TRAKing on all the XYZ machines which gives us the ability to run forwards and backwards through a programme by turning the handwheel, quickly proving it out before hitting the start button, which avoids scrap and expensive damage to the machine.”

The investment in new machinery has impressed C R Engineering’s customers and it is seeing a growth in orders thanks to the large capacity machines it has where some parts are up to 2.5m long. No one else locally has the capability to machine components of this size. Similarly, it is reaping the benefits of reshoring where customers are re-evaluating security of supply.

The company is BS EN 9001:2008 registered so accuracy, repeatability, traceability and on time delivery are important parts of its ethos. Mr Boyt concluded: “We now have 10 employees, adding a further four since I took over in 2020. Our staff are highly motivated and prepared to go the extra mile for our customers.

“Furthermore, working with XYZ Machine Tools gives us the confidence that we can achieve our aims. The machines are well built and reliable and the service is excellent. We hardly ever have any trouble with the machines and, if we do, it is fixed the next day. We have found the machines very good value for money and will continue investing in XYZ machines as the business grows.”