AJAX VMC SPECIFICATION CREATES £100,000 SUBCONTRACTOR ORDER FOR TWO MACHINES AT OPEN HOUSE

Luton-based precision prototype machinist and batch production subcontractor Verulam Engineering has ordered two Ajax AJV 700 vertical machining centres at the Ajax International open house in Lymington. The order worth over £100,000 will enable Verulam to update its production capability to satisfy an expanding order book that has grown by 50 per cent over the last two years. Said managing director Len Cooper: “We needed to upgrade our production capability due to the continuous growth in demand from customers seeking our prototype support services and batchwork that normally ranges up to 500 components.” The Ajax AJV 700 specification incorporates the mid-range Heidenhain TNC 620 digital control which was the deciding factor for Mr Cooper to attend the open house and to enable his setter to test out the capability of the machine. Said Mr Cooper: “Heidenhain controls are fitted to our other machining centres which is ideal for the type of work – especially the programming of complex prototype components made in very small numbers. These new machines will give us full compatibility with our existing machine controls and SolidWorks CADCAM.” Verulam Engineering, established 23 years ago employs eight people and customers span non-destructive testing equipment, the MOD and specialist movie camera sectors as well as providing a general machining service. Many parts are produced from aluminium which Mr Cooper said: “The specification and flexibility of the AJV 700 is ideal for short, quick cycles on our batch work and should provide excellent levels of accuracy and repeatability judging by the quality of build.” The AJV 700 has rapid traverse rates of 48 m/min in each axis of 700 mm in X, 400 mm in Y and 650 mm in Z. While spindle speeds from the 10 kW direct drive unit can be specified up to 15,000 revs/min, both the Verulam machines will have the standard 10,000 revs/min unit. The 24 tool magazine supports a tool-to-tool time of 1.6 secs. Included with the machines that Mr Cooper has specified is the Heidenhain tool and table probing systems. A further benefit to the Verulam installations, added Mr Cooper, is the compactness of the machine which only requires just 1.9 m by 2.2 m of floor space.

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