Precision grinding cycle times reduced by 50%
JONES & SHIPMAN SUPREMA 650 CYLINDRICAL GRINDER IMPROVES SUB CONTRACTOR COMPETITIVENESS WITH UP TO 50% CYCLE TIME SAVINGS.
Central Grinding Services in Leicester have significantly improved their competitiveness since recently installing a Jones & Shipman Suprema 650 ‘Easy’ cylindrical grinder. Cycle times on ID/OD work have in some instances been reduced by up to 50% and due to the machines ‘Easy’ self-teach software and quick set up times, smaller batches of work can now be handled profitably. The same ‘Easy’ software has also solved a skills shortage, as the automated cycle of the Suprema enables staff with varying skill levels to run the machine, once it is set-up.
Central Grinding Services (CGS) undertakes a wide range of grinding sub-contract work for high-tech and general industry across the UK. Services offered include, external, internal, surface, centreless and thread grinding, meeting customer demand ranging from large batches to specialised “one-offs” all to ISO 9001:2000 international quality standards.
“We were looking for a machine that would take the high-end skills required out of some of the work we do, it could reduce costs and solve a problem we have with recruiting highly skilled staff,” said Carl Windram, one of the co-directors of CGS. “We also had a parallel requirement to reduce cycle times on production work to make us more competitive and improve our deliveries. The Suprema 650 machine satisfies all of these requirements – and more. We can now undertake a wider range of work than before, and this is reflected in our improved turnover. The Suprema machine offers real value for money and is affordable for a small company such as ours.”
“Although machine capability and price/performance were our paramount concerns we were also influenced in our buying decision by the reputation of Jones & Shipman in the market, also the service and the application support they could provide, both of which are very good.”
“Before we purchased the Suprema 650, internal grinding was always a problem; but now we run all our production internal work on the Suprema, and achieve much reduced cycle times; as much as 50% on some single bore components. We have also achieved substantial reductions in cycle times in operations where wheels have to be dressed regularly; on exotic aerospace materials, for example. Now, the automatic dressing feature, combined with the general accuracy of the machine, means that we can run all day with minimal fuss and downtime. Moreover, we do not ever need to use gauging, as the machine is so precise and repeatable, even when working to tolerances as tight as 3 microns.”
“The self-teach, ‘Easy’ touchscreen programming software makes it quick and easy to set up the Suprema, the time saved making it economic for us to put smaller batch quantities on the machine; and we can also change over quickly to meet ever changing customer demands” said Mr Windram. “We also benefit in that the automated cycles take the skill out of the job, so unskilled staff can run the machine once it is set.”
Jones & Shipman Suprema 650 ‘Easy’
The Suprema 650 Easy cylindrical grinding machine incorporates a universal wheelhead, and has a grinding capacity of Ø300mm x 650mm between centres. Models are also available in 1m and 1.5m table capacities. Whilst this model with its manual swivel universal wheelhead allows for internal and external grinding, plain straight approach and angle head options are also available; all for very low capital outlay, ensuring fast payback for users.
About Jones & Shipman and the Precision Technologies Group
Jones & Shipman is part of PTG; together with its sister companies Holroyd, Crawford Swift, Binns & Berry and Edgetek. The Group is firmly at the forefront of high precision machine tool design, build and supply. Its machines produce ultra precision components in a diverse range of industries including aerospace, medical, mould tool & die, power generation, oil, gas, steel and high end automotive. In addition, the Group has developed some of the most sophisticated, bespoke software in the marketplace from simple rapid set and intuitive user interface right up to on machine 3D scanning, with automatic profile adjustment. These are just some of the world-class innovations that PTG can offer its customers.
The Group also offers technical consulting services, the ability to supply full turnkey packages and has a remanufacturing factory for large capacity specialist machines for the steel, oil and gas and aerospace industries.
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For reader enquiries contact: Robin Bodicoat, Marketing Co-ordinator. Precision Technologies Group / Jones & Shipman.
Murrayfield Road, Leicester LE3 1UW. UK. Tel: +44 116 201 3105.
E-mail: robin.bodicoat@jonesshipman.com
Carl Windram, Central Grinding Services, Unit 3a, Pomeroy Drive, Oadby Industrial Estate, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5NE, Telephone: +44 (0) 116 271 8188
Fax: +44 (0) 116 271 8199 Web: www.centralgrindingservices.co.uk
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