World leading manufacturers of drilling equipment for the mining industry, Metzke Pty Ltd have invested in Mazak's VTC-800/30SR vertical traveling column CNC machining centre, ideal for manufacturing extremely long and heavy workpieces.
The Mazak VTC-800/30SR is a highly versatile machine with a large working envelope, 3 meters of X-axis and 800 mm Y-axis travel.
The Mazak VTC-800/30SR features a high speed 40 Taper spindle and a swivel spindle head (B Axis).
The swivelling head provides B-axis movement for reduced set-up times and the optional Mazak NC-Rotary Table makes available full simultaneous 5-axis machining of complex features and contours for further enhanced productivity.
The roller gear cam design swivel head and rotary table delivers improved accuracy and repeatability due to the backlash free design, which allows the machining of complex features and contours.
With an optional table partition, the long machine table can be transformed into two separate work areas.
The machine also delivers fast rapid traverse rates to reduce non-cut times.
Metzke was founded in Perth, Western Australia in 1978 and has established itself as a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of RC drilling equipment, RC sampling systems and drilling consumables.
The company supplies mining and drilling companies worldwide with innovative solutions, setting the standard in the manufacture of drilling equipment. Their reputation in design and innovation has seen most of the major international capital equipment manufacturers utilise Metzke to design and supply safer drilling technologies for their products.
Metzke has a long and ongoing association with John Hart and Mazak, going back to 1991 when they purchased their first Mazak - a Quick Turn 28 lathe which is still in operation today. This is why Matzke chose the latest Mazak over other brands, because they have Mazak machines that have been operating in the business successfully for over 30yrs.
The increased machining capability plus the ability to bring existing sub-contract work in house were the main drivers behind this latest Mazak investment. The Mazak VTC-800/30SR has a longer bed length and a partition that allows multiple jobs to be run consecutively, thereby improving productivity and output capabilities.
Metzke will be utilising the Mazak VTC-800/30SR for low to medium volume machining of parts that would otherwise require multiple set-ups, such as parts for exploration drill rigs, down hole drilling consumables and sampling systems.
The large table area allows for multiple set ups and the large 48 tool magazine with tool ID software saves time setting up tools. The factory fitted touch sensor significantly improves set up times. The 5th axis gives greater machining capability and flexibility and Virtual machining software reduces programming time and improves training outcomes.
Metzke were impressed by the comprehensive proposal by John Hart, outlining all of the key operating and safety features, along with the costings involved, making the purchasing decision a very well-informed process. John Hart backed that up with world-class installation, commissioning and training which were key to ensuring that the new machine was operating as efficiently as possible from the get-go.