TPT March 2017

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I NDUS T RY
MARCH 2017 21
Second machining centre for Vale
VALE Garden Houses, a UK-based
manufacturer of conservatories, bronze
casement windows and bronze doors,
has purchased a second Mecal CNC
machining centre from Addison Saws.
The four-axis Mecal MC 305 Kosmos will
be used in the company’s specialised
bronze department to drill, mill, slot and
prep architectural bronze extrusions of
up to 3.5m in length and from 3.5 to
12mm in thickness.
“It was around ten years ago that
we invested in our first Mecal CNC
machining centre from Addison – an MC
305 four-axis model,” commented Vale’s
operations director, Dave Cheney.
“Extremely reliable and accurate, it
brought significant advantages to our
production schedules – and is still in
everyday use.
“The expansion of our business into
a new manufacturing facility just a few
years ago, however, saw us place even
greater demands on the Mecal. As a
result, we decided the time was right to
invest in a second machining centre, to
take on board 50 per cent of our bronze
department’s machining requirements
and ensure we are well equipped for
future business growth.”
With a number of potentially suitable
machines on the market, it was the
reliability of the Mecal MC 305 model
and the high levels of service provided
by Addison Saws that persuaded Vale
Garden Houses to again choose Addison
and invest in a second Mecal machine.
“Not only has our original Mecal CNC
machine more than proved its worth,
with an absolute minimum of downtime,
the service from Addison Saws has also
been outstanding,” added Mr Cheney.
The new Mecal MC 305 Kosmos
offers a range of enhancements over
Vale’s original machine. In particular, tool
changes are faster and the automatic
clamping system, where the machining
head positions the clamps, has made
various manufacturing processes
significantly quicker.
Mr Cheney said: “At Vale we are more
concerned with accuracy than speed,
as virtually every job we undertake is
unique.”
The machining centre chosen by Vale
is equipped to automatically machine,
drill, mill, slot and prep aluminium and
steel extrusion bars. It is also well suited
to new product development, while its
high levels of accuracy and repeatability
ensure minimal waste.
Addison Saws Ltd – UK
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Website:
The Mecal MC 305 Kosmos CNC machining
centre from Addison Saws