NETA Training, a leading North East training provider, recently acquired three new CNC machine tools from MACH Machine Tools (MACH MT), part of the Vigilance Group, and a leading UK supplier of CNC and manual machine tools and machine shop equipment. All three machines, equipped with the advanced DynaPath control, comprise two MACH MDT-1 turret-type milling machines and a MACH MDL 1600 lathe which were installed at NETA’s well-resourced workshop in Stockton-on-Tees in May this year.

MACH MDT-1 three-axis CNC turret mills are flexible, highly-accurate and reliable machines equipped with 2.25kW/50-3,750rev/min R8 taper spindles and generous sized 1,244 x 229mm worktables with a 340kg table load. They are used extensively in the UK by component manufacturers and toolmakers looking for a compact, high-productivity and value-added CNC milling solution.

Meanwhile, the MACH MDL 1600 two-axis flat-bed lathe is fast, powerful and precise. It is equipped with an 8in three-jaw chuck and features 5m/min rapid rates on its X- and Z-axes. With 1,050mm distance between centres and 400mm bed widths, MACH MDL 1600 lathes are popular and proven. They are an industry staple for many component manufacturers and their versatility means that they are equally adept at machining prototypes and one-offs right through to small batch production.

Powerful and versatile DynaPath CNC
All the machines are equipped with the powerful and versatile DynaPath CNC control with its simple-to-understand menus, on-screen graphics and conversational and ISO/G-code programming capabilities. As well as its 8Gb on-board program storage facility and 1,000 block look-ahead capability the DynaPath control ensures fast processing speeds resulting in improved contour accuracies and superior surface finishes.

A key strength of the DynaPath control system is its remote assistance facility. When connected to a local area network, the control system’s in-built FTP server functionality provides customers with fast, Wi-Fi enabled remote diagnostic and applications assistance as well as immediate programming monitoring help and support. This facility, available 24/7, and unique in the machine tool sector, provides customers with confidence and peace of mind knowing that, if they should need it, expert help and advice is only a telephone call away.

As a result of this purchase, NETA has at one stroke strengthened its front-line engineering resource that, along with a suite of manual machines and further recent investments made in 3-D printing, laser engraving and robotics’ technologies, are helping it to hone the skills of its mechanical engineering students and apprentices, preparing them for the workplace.

NETA’s director Sean Johnston, said: “Our MACH machines have helped elevate our status as an engineering training specialist with local and regional employers, schools and young people, as well as the wider community. They have enabled us to further differentiate our offering in what is a competitive local training environment.”

Continuous improvement
As a leading training provider, NETA is committed to continuous improvement and, to ensure it was able to continue to attract top talent onto its engineering courses, made the decision in early 2022 to invest in new CNC machine tools.

Mr Johnston explained: “We had the manual machine tool side covered. But, to ensure our students and apprentices were able to acquire the operator and programmer skills required by industry today and tomorrow, and to enable them to improve their engineering employment prospects and career progression, we made the decision to go down the CNC route.

“We knew we needed to have ‘state of the art’ milling and turning capabilities in the workshop, but we also wanted versatile machines that could be used in manual, semi-auto and full CNC mode too. Some of our students may not progress beyond manual operation but for apprentices and students, on our soon to be introduced T Level courses, we needed more sophisticated machine tools that would enable them to draw components (using CAD), create part programs (CAM), and machine parts to completion.”

As part of its capital investment selection process NETA checked out the market but following a meeting between NETA representatives and MACH Machine Tools at MACH 2022, a machine tool investment package comprising two mills and one lathe began to take shape.

24/7 remote diagnostic capabilities
Mr Johnston explained: “We appreciated the build quality of the machines being recommended and, once the power and flexibility of the DynaPath control system was explained to us in more detail, we were convinced that this was the right way for us to go. We were also particularly impressed with the control system’s 24/7 remote diagnostic capabilities. In addition, MACH Machine Tools’ after-sales service and support, the competitive price of the package and the availability of the machines, plus MACH Machine Tools’ desire to create a meaningful partnership with us, helped seal the deal.”

Since being installed the three machines have been put through their paces and NETA’s relationship with MACH Machine Tools has developed further. In the next few months MACH Machine Tools will hold a number of Master Classes at NETA to demonstrate the true capabilities and potential of its machines to students and staff alike.

Mr Johnston concluded: “The investment in our three MACH machine tools provides yet more evidence of our commitment to create a world-class engineering workshop at the Stockton site, and to help us raise our profile and further differentiate our course provision and learning pathways with key audiences that include young people and employers.”