Gloucestershire-based Payne Plastics has invested in a five-axis machining centre from GF Agie Charmilles
(www.gfac.com). This is being used to machine complex parts for the aerospace, defence, automotive, rail, marine and medical sectors.
Managing director Chris Bourton says: “As part of our continuous-improvement strategies, we regularly invest in the latest and most advanced machine tool technologies, and the new HPM 450U is a case in point. The choice of five-axis technology with integrated automation was made after an assessment of our existing manufacturing methods.
"This highlighted the need to improve our machining capacity and capabilities in order to reduce set-up times, ensure consistent and repeatable part accuracies and increase productivity levels.”
Since the installation of the HPM 450U, Payne Plastics has been able to reduce the number of operations required to complete certain parts from five (first-operation turning and four milling operations) to just two (first-operation turning and one milling operation).
“Furthermore, by using the machine’s five-axis capabilities, we can — depending on the job — set up and machine multiple jobs on one pallet. Along with the machine’s ability to run unattended for up to 14hr a day, this has made us more productive and vindicated our decision to invest in our first five-axis machine.”