To satisfy an automotive Tier 1 customer, specialized subcontractor acquired what it considers to be a very capable machining centre and a very fast one.

 

Hertfordshire-based Dawson Shanahan is well known for providing a highly specialist sub-contract machining service.

 

It is recognized for its imaginative, innovative cost effective solutions to complex engineering requirements, particularly in combining cold forming and machining, resulting in savings of both material and machining time.

 

David Dawson, Managing Director, said "We seek challenges.

 

That maybe something of a clich?, but we first established ourselves providing solutions to difficult machining tasks by cold forming copper heat sinks for the semiconductor and power distribution industry.

 

As we have diversified we have continued to seek similar niche areas in which we can best exploit our expertise.

 

We have a strong engineering capability and support a substantial R and D team, so concentrating on projects and components which require engineering design and process skills to achieve a good cost effective solution as well as a swift reaction - it is very rare that we cannot meet a target.

 

A typical customer would be one which needs volume parts but where price is a problem and a fresh approach is required.

 

At least 50% of our work is export - currently we have a major contract to supply parts to China".

 

In order to meet the demands of one of its customers, a 1st tier supplier to the automotive industry, it has purchased a Heller MCi 16 horizontal machining centre.

 

The company was "steered" in the direction of Heller by its customer, which was already using a number of Heller machines and found them excellent.

 

Having visited Heller's premises in Redditch, the order was placed upon it because, David said, "We were very impressed with the company, with the service, the back up and the technical support available.

 

They were extremely thorough.

 

The performance of the machine was also outstanding.

 

It is a very capable machine and a very fast one.

 

Price was a consideration but not the critical factor".

 

From initial enquiry to order was only one month.

 

The Heller MCi 16 has been purchased for a modified design of an existing component, because a new approach was needed primarily to meet "very tough" cycle time requirements.

 

"The complex, sophisticated component needs a versatile machine and considerable engineering support to achieve the target.

 

We have been able to take advantage of Heller's application engineering ability and our engineers have worked with theirs to achieve stringent quality and price targets" David said.

 

The Heller MCi 16 horizontal machining centre has very fast acceleration, positioning accuracy and reduced cycle time due to the high spindle speed, high dynamics and intelligent, fast processor.

 

Rapid traverse is 60,000mm/min, acceleration 10m/s2 and chip to chip time 3secs.

 

The tool magazine takes 40 tools.

 

Spindle speed is 16,000 rev/min.

 

The fast cycle times are complemented by a rigid and robust bed and column design which enables very high tolerances to be met and maintained.

 

The integrated through pallet hydraulic supply enables users to have far greater flexibility in fixture design, further enhancing productivity from the machines and the ease with which they can be integrated into a manufacturing cell.

 

X,Y, and Z axes movements are 630mm.