Mills CNC’s recently-held “Pushing the Boundaries” Open House proves popular with UK component manufacturers with over 300 visitors attending the eagerly-anticipated two day event.
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ and Zayer machine tools in the UK, and a leading supplier of high-productivity automation solutions for component manufacturers, has announced that its two-day Open House held at the company’s Technology Campus facility in Leamington Spa in October (9th & 10th), was a huge success.
The 300+ visitors that attended the “Pushing the Boundaries” themed event were able to experience, for themselves, the impressive depth and breadth of DN Solutions’ advanced machine tool ranges, and Mills’ state-of-the-art automation systems and solutions.
The 16 machine tools on show included a SMX 2100SB multi-tasking mill-turn machine, two DVF 5000 and one DVF 6500 (5-axis) machining centres, a TT twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre with dual Y-axis capabilities, a large capacity VT vertical turning lathe plus a number of Lynx and Puma lathes and DNM and BVM machining centres.
A number of the machines on view were integrated with Mills’ industrial and collaborative robot automation systems, with pride of place going to a SYNERGi Premier automated manufacturing cell and the first showing of a new, multi-level automated pallet change system.
“We wanted the Open House to appeal to as many component manufacturers as possible – hence the diverse range of machine tool and automation technologies being showcased.
“All the feedback we have received, during and after the show, is that we got the balance right”
Tony Dale, CEO of Mills CNC
Unlike some Open Houses, Mills’ event was dynamic, interactive and demonstration-based.
All the machine tools and automation systems showcased were under power with many being set up to perform a range of innovative, challenging and industry relevant machining demonstrations.
Worthy of special mention was the aluminium aircraft door hinge being machined on the DN Solutions’ DVF 6500 5-axis machining centre.
This turnkey demonstration, with its emphasis on high accuracy volumetric removal rates involved the machining a large 690mm x 490mm x 120mm solid billet weighing 112kg.
After machining operations, which included C-axis rotary milling, 5-axis milling and barrel milling, the finished part weighed just 12kg.
This demonstration, like many others at the event, highlighted Mills’ extensive, and increasingly sought after, turnkey capabilities and the company’s collaborative approach to solving complex machining challenges.
“A big shout out to all our Technical Partners who helped make the Open House such a success and, of course to all our staff whose hard work and dedication made “Pushing the Boundaries” an event to remember.
“Special thanks also goes to McLaren Racing Limited for the loan of the McLaren F1 car, and to the hundreds of visitors who took time out from their busy schedules to attend the event.”
Tony Dale, CEO of Mills CNC
