Neville Precision Engineering has taken delivery of a brand new Mecal 5-AXIS machining center from Addison. An MC304 Ariel-5 MDT model, it is the first Mecal CNC machine of its kind to be sold in the UK.
Neville Precision Engineering has taken delivery of a brand new Mecal 5-AXIS machining center from US. An MC304 Ariel-5 MDT model, it is the first Mecal CNC machine of its kind to be sold in the UK.
From Fastest to First
Earlier this year Neville’s – one of Britain’s leading names in the design and manufacture of aluminium components – bought two 4-axis Mecal MC307 Falcon models from Addison Saws, for the manufacture of 40,000 aluminium door sill plates a year for one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Believed to be the fastest CNC machining centers of their type, Mecal MC307 Falcon machines have an X-axis traverse speed of 150 mpm.
High-quality solution for high-speed train components
“For a new contract, which involves the manufacture of some 10,000 aluminium carriage light fittings a year for the next generation of high-speed trains, I initially considered purchasing an additional Mecal 4-axis machine,” comments Neville Precision Engineering’s Managing Director, Edward Neville. “During a visit to Mecal’s HQ with Addison Saws for machining trials, however, I was able to see the latest generation Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT, 5-axis CNC machining centre. A demonstration confirmed that it was precisely what I was looking for. ”
Full 5-axis capability
With full 5-axis capability, the Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT allows the cutting tool to approach the component from all possible angles, in order to complete cutting and machining operations on the top, bottom, sides and ends. This has brought immense flexibility to Neville Precision Engineering’s carriage light manufacturing cycle, where finished components measuring 2 metres long x 200mm wide are produced from 4.5-metre-long extrusion bars.
Significant advantages
This latest investment in CNC machining technology by Neville Precision Engineering has enabled the company to reduce machining cycle times significantly, removing any need for components to be manually repositioned during the manufacturing process. The Ariel-5 machining centre is equipped with an optional, fully independent clamping system and also offers Neville Precision Engineering considerable opportunities for component development.
A new alternative for machining aluminium
“We are delighted to be able to offer both the MC304 Ariel-5 MMI and MC304 Ariel-5 MDT models,” comments Addison Saws’ Sales Director, Chris Wilson. “Highly robust and competitively priced, these latest CNC machining centres from Mecal bring new levels of flexibility and convenience to customers who produce components from extruded aluminium.”
Exciting possibilities
“Once again, Addison Saws has provided a high quality solution for our demanding manufacturing strategies,” adds Edward Neville. “Our new CNC machining centre has also brought exciting possibilities to our component development capabilities.”
Take a closer look at the Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT, 5-axis CNC machining centre
