Turning students and apprentices into modern engineers

Engineering education is under increasing pressure to equip students and apprentices with the practical skills demanded by modern manufacturing. For colleges, this means ensuring workshop facilities reflect the technologies and equipment found on factory floors across the UK.

At Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College (HLNSC), a sustained programme of investment in machine tools and advanced manufacturing technologies is helping achieve exactly that goal, with the recent installation of four new MACH L-1330 manual lathes representing the latest stage in the college’s workshop modernisation strategy.

The new machines, installed earlier this year at the college’s engineering workshop in Hereford, bring HLNSC’s total number of MACH manual machine tools to nine, following earlier investments made since 2022. The acquisition forms part of a wider initiative to replace ageing workshop equipment and provide students and apprentices with access to the same types of machines they are likely to encounter in industry.

Over the past four years, HLNSC has steadily enhanced its engineering facilities through investment not only in machine tools but also in robotics, CAD-CAM technologies and additive manufacturing equipment. These improvements have transformed the workshop into a modern training environment where learners can gain hands-on experience using contemporary engineering technologies.

According to Mike Coakham, HLNSC’s team leader for engineering, the college continually reviews its resources to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and, as such, regularly monitor and assess the capacity and capabilities of our engineering workshop and the resources we have at our disposal,” he said.

The latest investment in four MACH L-1330 lathes is particularly significant because it allows the college to provide a more consistent training experience across its engineering programmes. Students and apprentices are now able to develop their turning skills on identical machines, ensuring a uniform approach to teaching and assessment.

Modern machine tools for modern manufacturing
The relationship between HLNSC and MACH Machine Tools began in 2022 when the college embarked on a programme to replace a number of ageing manual machines.

Mr Coakham explains: “Back in late 2021, we made the decision to replace a number of our older manual machines that were getting a bit long in the tooth, with newer, more sophisticated models that would better serve the needs of our students and further reinforce to local and regional employers our partnership credentials, and our ability to handle their future training and recruitment needs and requirements.”

Pic: A MACH VS-1 Classic turret mill at HLNSC

Following extensive market research staff visited a MACH Machine Tools open house event in Bristol to assess the options available. The visit provided an opportunity to see a range of manual lathes and milling machines in operation and to discuss the college’s future requirements directly with the supplier.

The outcome was the purchase of five machines in 2022, including two MACH VS-1 (Classic) turret milling machines, a MACH 1330-G trainer lathe and two larger MACH L-1340 lathes. These machines formed the foundation of the workshop’s modernisation programme and enabled a number of outdated machines to be retired.

“Our first MACH machines are good all-round performers and, since their installation, haven’t missed a beat,” says Mr Coakham. “MACH manual milling machines and lathes look the part and are built to last. Their rigid design and build combined with a whole host of technology features, that are supplied as standard, ensure excellent cutting performance and long life.”

He added that the company’s after-sales service and support also played an important role in the decision-making process.

The success of the initial installation led to further investment, including the addition of a MACH GSHE 320 manual bandsaw in 2023 and most recently, the delivery of the four new MACH L-1330 lathes.

New lathes expand training opportunities
The newest additions to the workshop are already proving their value. Designed as compact yet highly capable manual turning centres, the MACH L-1330 lathes provide the performance and precision required for effective engineering training while offering the durability needed in a busy educational environment.

Each machine is equipped with a heavy-duty 2.2kW spindle running at up to 2,570 rev/min, together with induction-hardened and ground gears and shafts, and backlash elimination features designed to ensure reliable long-term accuracy. Despite their relatively compact footprint, the lathes are capable of handling a wide variety of training tasks thanks to their 40mm spindle bore, 760mm bed length and MT3 tailstock.

Additional equipment supplied as standard includes both three-jaw and four-jaw chucks, quick-change toolposts and Newall DP two-axis digital readouts. These features enhance ease of use while exposing students to machine configurations commonly encountered in industry.

Since installation, learners have used the lathes to undertake a broad range of turning operations including internal and external turning, roughing and finishing, facing, taper turning, boring, drilling, grooving, parting-off and screwcutting. As a result, students are gaining practical experience in the fundamental machining techniques that continue to underpin modern manufacturing and toolmaking operations.

The machines support learners across a range of qualifications, including Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 Higher Technical Qualification engineering programmes, as well as apprentices enrolled on the college’s three-year engineering apprenticeship schemes.

For HLNSC, one of the most important benefits of purchasing four additional L-1330 machines is the ability to standardise training across multiple classes and cohorts.

“Although our MACH L-1330 lathes are not used continuously they have to perform when required and deliver the accuracies and processing speeds expected of them,” said Mr Coakham.

“The acquisition of four additional lathes has enabled us to adopt and maintain a consistent teaching approach with students and trainees being trained on identical machines.

“Our MACH L-1330 lathes have proved to be an ideal machine tool solution for our students and trainees to learn new skills and become proficient in basic turning operations.”

Pic: A MACH bandsaw is also part of the recent workshop investment at HLNSC

The investment also reflects a broader challenge facing UK manufacturing. With many employers seeking skilled engineers and machinists, colleges increasingly play a vital role in developing the future workforce. Access to modern equipment helps bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring students graduate with practical skills that can be transferred directly to the workplace.

Today, HLNSC’s engineering workshop is equipped with nine MACH machine tools and a MACH bandsaw, creating a training environment far removed from the facilities that existed only a few years ago. More importantly, the college’s students and apprentices are gaining experience on modern, industry-relevant equipment that mirrors the technologies used by manufacturers throughout the UK.


Top pic: Four MACH L-1330 lathes are the newest arrivals at HLNSC