Hurco ProCobot Automation, a Natural Progression for Kelvin Precision

Based in Crawley, West Sussex, Kelvin Precision offers a range of precision engineering services including CNC milling and turning, parts prototyping and CADCAM.
Having first established the company in 2012 with a Hurco VM10 and a manual lathe, the business has grown rapidly for James Staniford and Business Director, Claire McGrath. All of the early promotional activities were done online, enabling Kelvin Precision to build relationships with local clients. Orders kept arriving and within a year, an additional VM10i was purchased, followed 2 months later by the first 5 axis machine.
Kelvin Precision manufacture a variety of small components which, over time have become increasingly complex. The ability to machine 5 sides in a single handling was soon a necessity to avoid multiple set-up times. The machine operators at Kelvin Precision were already fully conversant with the Hurco WinMax control, therefore when the combination of price, capacity and footprint were considered, the choice of a Hurco VM10Ui as their first 5 axis machine was an easy decision. The correct selection of this model now appears justified, because today, 12 years later, Kelvin Precision owns a total of 4 VM10Ui machines from Hurco.
In addition to the VM10 and VM10Ui Hurco machines, a larger capacity VM20i with a table work-surface of 1168 x 508mm was added. This allows Kelvin Precision to machine larger sheet metal plates and also to use a multi-vice set-up when required. Aluminium, stainless steel and a variety of plastics such as Tufnell and PEEK are processed on the machines, supporting scientific, medical and filtration applications as well as some general subcontract work.
James is pleased to state several reasons behind his choice to stick with Hurco as the machine tool of choice. “The primary reason is the control. It is very easy to use” he says “All we needed was 3 days of training. We can import DXF files and Solid Models”. The transition to 5 axis, he describes as “Very easy”. Other reasons include the “Reasonable price”, “Reliability”, “The great look of the machines” and finally “Local support”.
Customer order quantities can vary greatly, Kelvin Precision have had to become specialists in high-mix production. One-offs, small batches and large volumes of product are required at different times. It is generally good news when order volumes increase, but factory space and personnel resources are not unlimited. In preference to running a night-shift, or increasing the size of the facility, the choice of lights-out production proved to be a more attractive option. The logical decision was to order a Hurco ProCobot as part of the most recent VM10Ui machine investment. Meaning that the longer runs could be completed overnight.
For Kelvin Precision, there was a big advantage in not having to go to a third-party automation provider. Hurco are able to supply and support the machine and ProCobot. The Hurco ProCobot installation and training was provided by the same applications engineer that did their 5 axis training. All programming of the ProCobot is done on an App that runs within the WinMax twin-screen control.
James describes the installation and training as “seamless”. The work was completed in 2-3 days”. He adds “Anyone with a bit of CNC knowledge would be able to set-up the ProCobot”.
Kelvin Precision use the ProCobot for the larger batch runs, often setting it running at 4pm and returning the following morning to completed parts, stacked and ready to go. It’s often the first machine that they set running in the morning on smaller batches, freeing the operator to do other work.
In response to customer demand, CADCAM and sliding head turning are additional services that Kelvin Precision has added. For the moment, the facility is full, but Kelvin Precision will continue to look for ways of improving the efficiency of production.
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Thanks to MTD for creating this video
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