10th September 2008
Automated cell delivered for Charpy test pieces

An automated cell for the manufacture of Charpy impact test pieces for steel producer Corus, part of Tata Steel, has been delivered by Agemaspark, Doncaster, aided by HNC of Halifax, and featuring Hardinge machine tools.

At Corus’ Scunthorpe steelworks, a test piece is taken from each production batch with results forwarded to customers; some 450 test pieces need to be produced each day. Corus’s machine shop within its Test House could not cope and a call was put in to Hardinge, which in turn called its agent, Agemaspark, Doncaster, which in turn called upon Halifax Numerical Controls for automation advice.

The requirement was for a system to make a set of three test pieces measuring either 5, 7.5 or 10 mm wide by 10 mm high and 55 mm long with a centrally machined vee 2 mm deep to an overall maximum tolerance of 60 microns within a time of 9 minutes.

The innovative solution was a totally enclosed, fully automated cell utilising three Quest model 6/42 CNC lathes fitted with GE Fanuc 18i CNC controls and Eppinger Preciflex driven tool turrets and ‘C’ axis spindle control, plus pick-and-place robots, auto conveyors along with laser component recognition and measurement.

More details >>> VIDEO >>> PDF

10th September 2008
Weir Minerals again turn to HNC!

A little over 12 months ago, Tony Locke, operations director of Weir Minerals in Todmorden, West Yorkshire turned to HNC to rebuild and retrofit a CNC system to a manual Giddings & Lewis vertical turning lathe they had sourced in the USA. 

The build was duly completed and the company have been extremely pleased with result, relieving the forecast demand in their impeller cell. It therefore came as something of a pleasant surprise to HNC’s managing director Mike Diskin when Tony Locke recently came on the phone asking “Mike, I’m considering the purchase of a VTL that is in need of rebuilding and a CNC system retrofitting, can you go and look at it?” Mike advised he would be delighted, although Tony Locke added “it’s in Buffalo, New York!”

Although the rebuilt G&L was coping admirably with the work, additional orders had produced yet further demand, dictating another expansion of the impeller cell.

Paul Anderson, HNC’s engineering manager was quickly despatched to view the potential purchase. The machine, a Bullard VTL with a 66” (1676mm) diameter table but was without its turret - although one had been located albeit from a later model. Paul reckoned with a little design work, a new slide could be manufacturedutilising the later turret and advised Weir Minerals accordingly.

The machine was subsequently purchased and within a few weeks it arrived at HNC’s facility on the outskirts of Halifax, where the strip down began. Following the comprehensive rebuild, upon completion and final testing, Weir Mineral personnel were invited in to witness cutting trials and machine pass-off. The machine has recently been delivered and commissioned, coping with demand in the impeller cell – at least for the time being! 

More details >>> PDF

1st July 2008
HNC trade-in Miss Moneypenny for younger model!

Everyone at HNC are pleased to introduce Sharon Normanton as Office Manager who has taken over from the recently retired Denise Johnson.

Sharon is rapidly settling in at HNC and has introduced several changes to the office system to ensure everything from sales orders to invoicing is completed on time.

We wish Denise great happiness and success in her retirement and welcome Sharon to the team.

19th May 2008
HNC hits million pound six!

After many months of negotiation Halifax Numerical Controls (HNC) directors Mike Diskin and Tim Price are proud to announce their biggest ever order – for six machines to the value of £982,000.00! ($1,912,000.00)

Against fierce international competition from companies in the USA, Sweden and Holland, HNC have been awarded a contract to rebuild and retrofit new CNC controllers to six large machine tools from American aero engine maker Pratt and Whitney. Says HNC Managing Director Mike Diskin, “it has been something of a tense time for us over the past couple of months, we knew it was going to be tough, but we won through in the end.” He added “we believe we won the order because of our reputation for service and the quality we build into all re-manufactured machines, combined with our vast in-house CNC knowledge and competitive pricing.”

Pratt and Whitney, who were looking for machines for a new venture in China, initially looked at new but considered good quality rebuilt ones better value. They bought the assets of the now defunct Volvo aero engine maintenance factory in Stockholm, Sweden which included a number of quality machine tools, consisting of two Dorries and one Schiess vertical turning lathe, a VAES vertical grinder, a Union five axis horizontal borer and Deckel FP6 machining centre – although all had seen better days.

Having secured the machines they next went looking for a company capable of refurbishing them and scoured Europe and the US for specialist re-manufacturing companies, with HNC coming out on top!

All machines will have, new electrics fitted throughout and be retrofitted with the latest GE-Fanuc Oi controllers, servos and drives. Delivery of the machines to HNC’s spacious Halifax facility took place within days of the order being placed with work already begun. It is a tight schedule with delivery required by November 2008.

Friday 25th April 2008
Whitgift School count on Heidenhain

Although Halifax Numerical Controls Ltd (HNC) is considered one of the UK’s leading machine tool re-furbishers and CNC control retrofitters, MD Mike Diskin, is keen to point out they are also one of Britain’s largest distributors of digital readout (DRO) systems and have enjoyed a long association with Heidenhain promoting their advanced range of products, enjoying sole distribution rights for the whole of Yorkshire and Humberside.

So when Assistant Head Teacher and Head of Technology, Paul Mortimer of Whitgift School in Grimsby approached HNC to rebuild four of the schools 30 year old lathes - two Colchester Students and two Harrison 140’s, he had clearly done his homework by specifying the powerful Heidenhain model 780 DRO units.  

The 780 is the latest in DRO technology featuring a 6” screen for easy viewing, is menu driven and extremely operator friendly. It contains many advanced features, including comprehensive tool tables, bolt hole circles, powerful maths function and even has its own inbuilt diagnostics and full error compensation.

Combined with the full machine refurbish, interlocked sliding chuck guards and lead screw covers were fitted, bringing the machines into line with current safety regulations. The machines were also treated to a new coat of paint awaiting the rigours of next 30 years of student usage!