New investment strategy pays dividends for HQ Fabrications!
Published: | CNC machining
HQ Fabrications invests in two new CNC machine tools from MACH Machine Tools to increase its in-house machining capacity and capabilities, and to strengthen its supply chain relationships with customers.
MACH Machine Tools, a leading supplier of new CNC and manual machine tools and machine shop equipment to UK, Irish and European manufacturers, and part of the Vigilance Group, has recently supplied South Shields-based, HQ Fabrications Ltd., with two new CNC machines.
The machines, a MACH MDV 1160 vertical machining centre and a MACH MDS 845-8T tool room mill, were installed earlier in the year at HQ Fabrications’ 8,500sq. ft. facility in Jarrow, South Shields in August and November, respectively.
Since being installed both machines, equipped with the advanced and innovative DynaPath control system, have been working flat out machining customised jigs and fixtures, as well as prototypes, one-offs and small batches of pre-production and production parts (up to 300-off), for a diverse range of UK customers, most notably, and most recently, in the renewables, marine, medical and defence sectors…to name but a few.
HQ Fabrications - overview
HQ Fabrications, established in 2017 and employing 12 members of staff, is a specialist engineering consultancy with significant in-house machining and fabrication capabilities combined with impressive design for manufacture (DfM) and reverse engineering skills and expertise.
The company works closely and collaboratively with its customers helping solve a range of product- and process-related issues and challenges.
These projects, depending on their complexity, can vary in length (from one or two weeks through to 12 months), with HQ Fabrications often taking the lead (project management) role.
HQ Fabrications’ customers cover the whole spectrum of manufacturing organisation types - from OEMs and Tier One companies through to Tier 3 and precision subcontractors.
HQ Fabrications also designs and manufactures its own products, addressing perceived ‘gaps’ that it has seen in the market; recent examples have included benches/beds for chiropractors, a range of stillage and trolley products and solutions for industrial materials handling sector.
Says Chris Hall, HQ Fabrications’ owner and managing director:
“First and foremost we are a problem-solving company focused on delivering high-quality, value-added and sustainable solutions for our customers.”
Customers approach HQ Fabrications for a variety of reasons that can include:
- Help in improving the reliability and efficiency of their existing production processes,
- Designing and developing new products and/or product upgrades and iterations, and the processes required to manufacture them accurately, quickly and cost-efficiently.
At the heart of many of the solutions HQ Fabrications designs and develops are custom jigs and fixtures.
Continues Chris Hall:
“We don’t necessarily focus on one sector or industry. Our ability is in helping customers improve their productivity and process efficiencies, reduce their operational costs and waste and, by doing so, help them maintain their competitive edge.”
Machine shop dynamics and imperatives
HQ Fabrications is a company committed to continuous improvement and as such regularly invests in its people, its plant and equipment, and in its processes and systems.
The company has a number of machine tools at its disposal in its machine shop, but is always looking to increase and improve its in-house machining capacity and capabilities to provide better, faster and more economic solutions for its customers.
This improvement strategy also allows HQ Fabrications reduce the amount of machining work it sub-contracts out to local suppliers, helping it to control its own manufacturing processes more efficiently, and reduce its operational costs.
Investment in new MACH machine tools
HQ Fabrications regularly monitors and evaluates the performance of its machine tools, and to enable it to machine larger workpieces, made the decision, early in 2024, to invest in the new MACH MDV 1160 3-axis vertical machining centre.
Says Chris Hall: “Up to that point we had always invested in used machines. However, one of our existing (used) machines that we had identified for machining the larger workpieces, wasn’t as reliable as we had originally hoped.”
Rather than attempt to struggle on with an under-performing machine, HQ Fabrications decided to invest in its first new CNC machine. And the machine tool supplier it approached was MACH Machine Tools.
Having already established good working relationships with Machine Tool Sales Online (MTSO), a used machine tool and machine shop equipment supplier, and MACH Machine Tools’ sister company, HQ Fabrications discussed its requirements with the Bristol-based new machine tool provider.
Continues Chris Hall: “We were a little apprehensive investing in a new machine, but representatives from MACH Machine Tools, who we knew already from our dealings with MTSO, simplified the whole process from machine identification through to delivery, installation and commissioning. They even offered us a great part-exchange trade-in deal on the (previously mentioned) used machine too.”
MDV 1160 – a closer look
The MACH MDV 1160 is an advanced, production-led vertical machining centre equipped with a powerful BT 40, 15kW/12,000rpm direct-drive spindle, a generous-sized worktable (1200mm x 600mm) with an 800kg maximum table load and a 24-tool ATC.
The machine also features the advanced DynaPath CNC control.
“The MDV 1160 is fast, powerful, accurate and flexible”, explains Chris Hall. “It is a great addition to our machine shop and has significantly improved our in-house milling capabilities enabling us to machine large, and smaller, high-precision and complex parts quickly and efficiently, irrespective of the materials being machined (i.e., aluminium, stainless steel, tool steel, engineering plastics etc.).
As well as being HQ Fabrications’ first new CNC machine tool, the MDV 1160 is also the first machine the company has acquired with the DynaPath control.
Says Chris Hall: “The DynaPath control has many things going for it.
“Firstly it is easy to use and understand, and the control’s intuitive menus and on-screen graphics help eliminate programming omissions and errors.
“Furthermore, off-line programming and tool path and machining simulation, ensure that potential collisions are avoided and that machining processes developed are efficient and safe.”
In addition to its processing capabilities, the DynaPath control also features its industry-leading 24/7 Wi-Fi enabled remote monitoring and technical support facility that helps improve customers’ productivity and machine uptime.
“DynaPath’s integrated remote assistance facility has been a real game-changer”, explains Chris Hall. “If and when we have any issues i.e., machine operation, applications help etc., we can interface directly with MACH Machine Tools’ technical support team for immediate assistance.”
HQ Fabrications’ positive experience with its first MACH machine tool investment resulted in the company further strengthening its in-house milling capabilities by investing in a second machine - a MACH MDS 845-8T toolroom mill.
This compact machine, again supplied with the DynaPath control, features an 8-position ATC arranged around the machine’s direct-drive 5.5kW/8,000rpm spindle, and is equipped with an 850mm x 420mm table with a 220kg table load.
Concludes Chris Hall: “Our two new MACH machines are proving to be a great investment. Although we had some natural anxieties acquiring new machine tools for the first time, MACH Machine Tools’ open and transparent approach combined with their proactivity, technical know-how and readily-available support, made the whole process from machine identification through to purchasing and installation, quick and seamless.”
