EuroWire March 2016

14 / 216

News
Corporate
March 2016 12
Neville Precision Engineering, a UK
designer and manufacturer of aluminium
extruded products, has taken delivery of
a third Mecal CNC machining centre from
West Midlands-based cutting and sawing
technology specialist Addison Saws.
Believed to be the fastest of its kind, the
two Mecal CNC machining centres are
4-axis models and are used to manufacture
40,000 aluminium door sill plates a year
for one of the world’s premier automotive
brands. By comparison, this latest machine
to be purchased by Neville is a 5-axis
Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT – the first 5-axis
machining centre of its type to be sold in
the UK by Addison Saws.
“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,” said Neville 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.”
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 flexibility
to Neville Precision Engineering’s carriage
light manufacturing cycle, where finished
components measuring two metres
long x 200mm wide are produced from
4.5-metre-long extrusion bars.
This latest investment in CNC machining
technology by Neville 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.
“We are delighted to be able to offer
both the MC304 Ariel-5 MMI and MC304
Ariel-5 MDT models,” said Addison 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.”
“Once again, Addison Saws has provided
a high quality solution for our demanding
manufacturing strategies,” added Mr
Neville. “Our new CNC machining centre
has also brought exciting possibilities to
our component development capabilities.”
The new Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT
machining centres from Addison Saws
are able to automatically machine, drill,
mill, slot and cut aluminium extrusions
of up to 7.5 metres in length. Providing
flexibility, thanks to their additional rotary
axes, Mecal Ariel-5 models are suited to
new product development, as well as to
complex machining tasks.
At-a-glance features include:
• Mobile 12-position rotary tool
magazine
• Fully motorised self-positioning vices
• Vice movement during machining
cycle (optional)
• 3D graphical software with external
CAD link available
• Powerful 11kW HSD spindle
• Fibre-optic high-speed data comm-
unication
• Dual loading zones for seamless
production
• Rear safety mesh fence
• Central automatic lubrication system
Addison Saws – UK
Website :
Neville Precision Engineering – UK
Website :
The Rohde & Schwarz electronics group has signed a
comprehensive global procurement agreement with Huber+Suhner
AG, a global manufacturer of connectivity solutions for radio
frequency, fibre optics and low frequency technologies.
The global framework agreement ensures the support of
Huber+Suhner for optimal worldwide components supplies and
technical consultation. At the same time, it stabilises the status of
Huber+Suhner as a preferred supplier and lays the foundations for
continuously enhancing an intensive working relationship.
Manufacturing high‑tech Rohde & Schwarz products poses
complex challenges for the group’s supply chain. Deliveries of
electronic assemblies and subsystems must be on time, high‑quality
and economical.
Peter Schlindwein, vice president of corporate procurement at
Rohde & Schwarz, said: “We need suppliers who provide us flexible
and competent support to meet market demands. In this regard,
global agreements are important steps for cooperation as equals.”
Reto Bolt, chief operating officer of the Radio Frequency division
at Huber+Suhner, said: “We are proud to have leading companies
like Rohde & Schwarz as key accounts. This long‑term cooperation
drives us to develop future‑oriented solutions for our mutual
market success.”
Rohde & Schwarz – USA
Website:
Huber+Suhner – Switzerland Website:
Addison on hand with first UK sale
▲ ▲ The 5-axis Mecal MC304 Ariel-5 MDT
Support deal signed