Pailton Engineering Boosts Advanced Manufacturing with Installation of Matsuura MX-520 CNC Five-Axis Machining Centre

Coventry-based Pailton Engineering Ltd, a specialist in precision steering systems, has further strengthened its manufacturing capabilities with the installation of a Matsuura MX-520 five-axis CNC machining centre at its UK headquarters. The investment marks a significant step forward in the company’s strategy to modernise and automate production under the leadership of new Managing Director David Pound.

The state-of-the-art machine, with a machining envelope of 520 x 350mm and a 150kg loading capacity, will be used to automate the production of Pailton’s yoke range — vital components used in steering systems for buses, coaches, commercial vehicles and military applications.

Steve Nollett, Operations Manager at Pailton Engineering, said:
“The Matsuura MX-520 is renowned for its precision, speed, flexibility and reliability, making it ideal for the intricate machining tasks critical to our steering systems. Its capabilities will significantly improve the quality, consistency, and availability of our products while simplifying shopfloor operations.”

The MX-520 is equipped with 60-tool capacity and four pallets, allowing for continuous production flow with minimal downtime. The system enables unmanned operation over extended periods, removing the need for manual intervention every 45 minutes — previously required to reposition or remove parts.

Mr Nollett added:
“With five-axis machining and a multi-pallet system, we can now produce complex geometries that were once only possible with manual manipulation. The reduced need for human input frees our team to focus on value-added tasks and increases overall productivity.”

This latest investment comes as part of a broader automation initiative at Pailton Engineering. The company has also recently added three Haas machines and a welding robot to its facility, reinforcing its dedication to cutting-edge manufacturing and customer-driven innovation.

The addition of the Matsuura MX-520 is aimed at meeting growing customer demand while enhancing production efficiency and product quality — all without compromising the precision engineering for which the company is known.

David Pound, Managing Director, commented:
“Investing in advanced manufacturing technologies is crucial for our continued growth. The MX-520 reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class steering components through innovation and operational excellence.”