AJAX ANNOUNCES MACHINE BUILD IN THE UK

Ajax Machine Tools International is to commence build of vertical machining centres to a UK specification with Heidenhain TNC control systems and drive packages at its Lymington, Hampshire headquarters. With more than 50 per cent of the machine value sourced in the UK,this will enable the target price of under £50,000 for a 700 mm by 400 mm by 550 mm capacity machine to be achieved. Said Managing Director William Savin: “Our research has shown customers in the sub-contract, general machining and aerospace sector are keen to have the benefit of Heidenhain control technology for the operator interface and consistency of programming language that has been progressively enhanced while accepting earlier control generation programs.” He follows on to confirm the response and comments made by visitors to Southern Manufacturing where the UK build was announced and an AJV 700 machine demonstrated: “Over the two days we drew enquiries that would be worth almost £1 million and it was the competitive price coupled with and machine/control specification that created the significant level of serious interest.” The first phase of build of the AJV 700 VMC will involve 10 machines based on the use of castings sourced from Long Chang Machinery, one of Taiwan’s leading machine tool builders with whom Mr Savin has had a close working relationship for a number of years. He said: “Normally the company would only ship a completed machine but have agreed to supply heavy duty carcasses for us to specifically tailor the build to our home market.” The AJV 700 VMC has a capacity of 700 mm in X by 400 mm in Y and 550 mm in Z with an option to extend the vertical Z axis to 650 mm. The machine will be fitted with high precision roller-type linear guideways to maintain rigidity levels and the rapid traverse rate of 48 m/min. There is a choice of Heidenhain TNC 620 or iTNC 530 controls and drives. The overall specification is high as a ready-to-run package which includes a starter tool kit, the 17kW, 10,000 or 12,000 revs/min spindle with 20 bar through-tool-coolant option via Ajax assembled integrated coolant and filtration system obtained from local sources. Ajax has also developed the swarf control based on complete wash-down linked to a central screw evacuation to the rear of the machine. As part of the UK specification Mr Savin’s team will use its Renishaw laser calibration to enhance positioning accuracy and repeatability. The control/features will also be configured locally to suit the intended application which can include the integration of fourth or fifth-axes as an option.

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