As a subcontract manufacturer, Derby-based MCE Engineering Ltd has recently acquired its first CNC vertical machining centre, a Pinnacle LV116.
With a rapidly expanding machining division that is continually battling with rival subcontract machine shops for business, the new LV116 from Pinnacle will give the company that supplies bluechip companies like Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, Toyota, Boots, and McVities; the opportunity to win new business.
This investment is part of the company’s current expansion plans that will increase capacity and allow it to produce more complex parts to the highest standards. Founded in 1996, MCE, beleives the new Pinnacle LV116 machining centre will add to the company’s ever-evolving capabilities.
Commenting upon the new acquisition, MCE Engineering’s Machine Shop Manager and Head of Business Development, Mr Mark Chesher says: “After evaluating several different machine tool suppliers, it was clear that the offering from Pinnacle Machine Tools was ahead of its competitors. The build quality is on the next level to anything else in the same price bracket. We are delighted to be taking this next step in the growth of our business with Pinnacle and we are excited about the potential this new machine brings to our business. The acquisition will open up more opportunities in conjunction with our additional investment plans for more modern, efficient, high-feed orientated tooling and multi-load fixtures.”
As a class-leading manufacturer that offers design, machining, fabrication, sheet metalworking and welding with complete supply, installation and service support, MCE is already reaping the benefits of its new acquisition. This is credit to the new LV116 Series being a machining platform with a high-torque 10,000rpm spindle capable of high-speed machining on hard materials.
For highly efficient machining, the LV116 incorporates linear guideways to minimise friction and provides the positional and repeatability accuracy that is demanded by MCE. The LV116 has a working envelope of 1140 by 610 by 610mm in the X, Y and Z-axis and the machine is provided with the commonly recognised FANUC CNC control unit and a 10.4 colour screen that simplifies the editing and creation of programs.
As well as the highly specified equipment that is provided as standard, the LV116 is stocked with the coolant system, working lamp, operation light, auto lubrication system, spindle air blast, tool probing system and spindle oil cooler/flushing system. In the case of MCE, this company made its first CNC vertical machining purchase a high-end acquisition, specifying the coolant flushing system, 18.5kW high-torque spindle motor with the BT40 taper and 20bar pressure through coolant spindle.
