Global appeal!

Date: 18 January 2010

Globe Engineering is the first UK Company to invest in a new Heidenhain-Controlled Doosan (3-axis) machining centre from Mills CNC.

Market-leading precision subcontract specialist Globe Engineering Ltd has recently invested in 2 new Doosan machine tools from Mills CNC.

The new machines - a 'recently-launched' DNM 650 vertical machining centre with the Heidenhain iTNC 530 Control, and a Puma 280 (2-axis) lathe - were installed at the Company's facility in Bishop's Stortford during November and December 09 respectively.

Both machines are being used by Globe Engineering to manufacture a range of high-precision complex parts for its aerospace and defence, automotive, pharmaceutical, scientific instrumentation and motor sport customers.

The Puma 280 and DNM 650 are the first Doosan machines that Globe Engineering has invested in - and both were selected for their cutting capabilities, inherent flexibility, and competitive price and immediate availability.

The installation of the DNM 650 machine also makes Globe Engineering the first UK manufacturer to have acquired one of Doosan's new Heidenhain-controlled 3-axis vertical machining centres - which were launched by Mills in September 09.

Getting down to business

Globe Engineering, an ISO 9001 accredited company, was established 30 years ago – and has built its reputation on quality, flexibility, reliability and customer care. The Company is a high-precision subcontractor providing customers with specialist design and manufacturing services and solutions which often, and increasingly, include managing and implementing turnkey projects.

The scope and scale of Globe's manufacturing credentials is impressive, and current contracts include:

1. Designing and manufacturing parts, and supplying full and sub-assemblies to its EBW customers. (Electron Beam Welding is a specialist metal joining technology used across many industries and sectors – i.e. aerospace, nuclear, automotive etc.)
2. Designing and manufacturing jigs and fixtures, and special purpose and prototype machines for sheet metal 'clinching' applications and operations used in automotive, heating, lighting, white goods industries etc. (More information about this special manufacturing technology can be accessed by visiting Globe's website at www.globe-engineering.co.uk
3. Manufacturing press tools and punches and dies for sheet metal 'hemming' applications.
4. Designing and manufacturing BIW (Body in White) automotive tooling solutions

The nature of Globe Engineering's work – i.e. small-to-medium batch production (often including prototypes, one-offs etc.), the types of materials used (steel, stainless steels, titanium, exotics and hard-to-machine materials etc.), and the high precision required (i.e. exacting tolerances and superior surface finishes), means that the Company has to continually review and upgrade its manufacturing technologies, processes and systems.

The latest investment by Globe in its new Doosan machines is evidence of this.

Says Chris Howarth, Managing Director at Globe:

'We needed to upgrade our machining (turning and milling) capabilities and the new Doosan machines ticked all the right boxes for us.

'The type of components we manufacture means that we need powerful and rigid machine tools…capable of high (and fast) stock removal and equally high (and repeatable) part accuracies.

'The Puma 280 lathe with its box-way construction (designed for heavy-duty turning operations), and its 10” chuck and 76mm bar working diameter, and high-performance 22kW 3,500rpm spindle and 10 station turret – combines power with flexibility, and was ideal for our future turning requirements.

'As far as the milling investment was concerned – it was essential that the new machine had a Heidenhain control. This was important because our existing milling machines are Heidenhain controlled, and our operators (as a consequence) are familiar with this control system. We also believe that the Heidenhain system is easier to use, and is the optimum control for the type of machining we do.'

As well as being specific about the machine's control – Globe also had other particular requirements that led them to select the DNM 650 machine.

Continues Chris Howarth:

'We needed a machine with a large working envelope to give us extra manufacturing flexibility, and we also wanted a high-torque spindle (face and taper configuration) with through-spindle-coolant capability to cater for our specific machining requirements (i.e. machining hard materials; high stock removal; deep hole drilling etc.).'

The DNM 650 machine is equipped with a 17kW 12,000rpm spindle; 30-position tool changer and large work table (1300mm x 670mm). The 650 machine can also be supplied with an 8,000rpm spindle which was Globe's preferred option, as was tool and spindle probing (for in-process measurement and inspection).

Concludes Chris Howarth:

'Although we were not an existing Mills customer – there was ample evidence and a multitude of positive endorsements from companies with Doosan machine tools supplied by Mills CNC that made us determined to invest in the Puma 280 and DNM 650 machines.'