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February 21, 2024

New Vertical CNC Turning Centres Arrive at Our Irvine Site

We’re pleased to confirm details of our most recent investment, as we begin 2024. As part of our ongoing commitment to advance our manufacturing capabilities, we’ve invested over £1 million in two state-of-the-art Vertical CNC Turning Centres. The ‘You Ji’ machines were supplied by TDT Machine Tools Ltd and have now arrived at our Irvine site in Scotland.

Also known as vertical borers or vertical turning lathes (VTLs), these state-of-the-art turning centres will further our precision machining capability. A point of difference between a horizontal lathe and a vertical lathe is that the vertical orientation allows gravity to assist in securely holding the workpiece, which can be a major advantage when machining large, heavy parts. The 1.8m vertical borers with C axis drives use the very latest technology and have been put into service to aid our delivery of a product line for a multi-year contract. 

About the machines

Vertical borers are high precision, specialist lathes. They boast an impressive machining capacity, are highly versatile and will be deployed across a wide range of applications.

One of the key features of these machines is the live spindle that opens a realm of possibilities for complex machining operations. From grinding and milling to 90-degree drilling, tapping, boring, U-drilling, regular drilling and turning – each Vertical CNC Turning Centre can seamlessly execute a diverse range of tasks without the need for manual intervention between each operation.

The Irvine team were delighted to see the tuning centres arrive on site and look forward to increased capability, productivity and efficiency for the wider Howco Group offering.

One of the key efficiencies our team can expect to experience firsthand is that we’ll no longer need to run through the process of taking a workpiece off the machine and subsequently setting it up for the next operation. Instead, the Vertical CNC Turning Centre will streamline our manufacturing process and importantly, reduce production times whilst ensuring superior surface finish, quality and precision.

The importance of safety

The safety of our employees is paramount. This is another area where our investment will bring benefits, with each VTL being easy to control via an all-in-one task manager screen. Additional safety features include a clamping stroke sensor, a door interlock and safety window. This helps to create the most safe and comfortable working environment.

You Ji Machine Ind. Co., Ltd. – the manufacturer of these machines – has extensive experience in equipment manufacturing and is a trusted partner in Howco’s future. We’re excited to continue our journey with their machines.

The future of precision manufacturing

The introduction of our two new Vertical CNC Turning Centres marks a significant milestone for Howco. They will pave the way for a new era of precision machining, where efficiency and innovation go hand in hand.

Tags: precision manufacturing, new equipment, Vertical CNC Turning Centres, Irvine