UK-first for DMG MORI milling centre at Dynamatic-Oldland Aerospace

Dynamatic-Oldland Aerospace is installing a DMG MORI DMC 340 U RS4 Giga Milling Centre in a new purpose built unit at its Swindon facility, the first machine of this type in the private sector in Britain.

With a capacity of 3,400mm in X, 3,400mm in Y and 2,000mm in Z this machine has four pallets, is capable of handling workpieces of 16 tons, has a traverse rate of 60m/min and a tool magazine holding 180 tools each of which can weigh up to 30kg.

In a statement James Tucker, managing director of Dynamatic Limited UK said: “The versatility of this machine in the manufacture of complex parts in aluminium alloy, steel and titanium alloy fits well into our existing machine pool. The machine, expected to be delivered this June, will help us to serve our existing and new customers and deliver larger and much more challenging parts.”

Dynamatic-Oldland Aerospace supplies aero structures and assemblies for the fuselage and wings to companies including Airbus, Boeing, Bell Helicopter and Hindustan Aeronautics.

For Dynamatic-Oldland Aerospace the size of the machine and the number of pallets was an important factor when choosing this class of milling centre. The large bed size enables it to machine larger parts, while the four pallets make it possible to run the machine unmanned. With the four pallet arrangement on the DMC 340 U RS4, parts can be set while the machine is running and complete parts can be produced in one cycle cutting one side of the component in one fixture and the other side in a second fixture. Additionally, the arrangement gives more flexibility allowing unmanned machining overnight and the ability to choose the order in which parts are run. If the company had chosen a single or dual pallet machine, two to four hour setup times would have resulted in significant idle time and much less flexibility.

The company has sufficient work to fill the capacity of the new DMC 340 U RS4, where parts are cut to a tolerance of 50-60 microns, well within the capabilities of the machine. It also sees opportunities with engine and landing gear parts where tolerances are 15-20 microns.