NTS ME invests in large CNC lathes
Northeast Technology Solutions Middle East (NTS ME) has invested in a Hankook CNC lathe from Ward CNC to expand its operations in Dubai.
NTS ME’s capability to mirror its Aberdeen parent company in the supply of high-integrity, high-strength components is based on manufacturing processes and quality plans laid down in Scotland and available to the Dubai-based engineers 24/7 via the company’s server.
The opportunity to establish NTS ME arose just six months after managing director Jan Wojcieszyn completed a management buyout of NTS.
The company was immediately relocated from Caithness to Aberdeen to be at the centre of the supply hub serving North Sea oil and gas companies and specialise in the production of high-integrity components.
It is not uncommon for some of the more complex down-hole drilling components produced to be up to 5m long and of 250mm diameter, and sometimes require 300 hours of machining time.
‘We need to have complete faith in the machine tools we use and be confident they can consistently achieve the desired quality and repeatability,’ said Wojcieszyn.
The company’s continuing success is also based around its ability to produce API threads: the ISO 9001:2000 and TS29001-accredited operation is also certified to API Specification Q1 and API.
‘Sourcing and installing machines for NTS ME was straightforward,’ said Wojcieszyn.
‘We basically purchased the machines in the UK, including a Hankook CNC lathe from Ward CNC of Sheffield, a 6m bed milling machine and a large-capacity oil country lathe purchased direct from Australia.’ When the Dubai project arose, Jan Wojcieszyn knew there was no need to waiver from the production engineering regimes that were proving successful at Aberdeen.
‘We needed to quickly get a suitable large capacity lathe to Dubai, so we needed to source a comparable machine that was available immediately.
‘Ward CNC was able to satisfy the need; we ordered the machine in the UK and Ward arranged for it to be shipped from manufacturer Hankook’s factory in Korea directly to Dubai.’ The Protec 9NC two-axis lathe with 4000mm between centres is constructed of a double-walled and ribbed one-piece meehanite cast iron bed with induction hardened and ground precision slideways for maximum stability and accuracy.
The large spindle bore (up to 254mm) twin chuck machine has a 950mm swing over bed, 630mm over carriage and 4000mm between centres (options up to 8000mm available).
The machine is also equipped with a specialised boring saddle and boring equipment for through-bore applications.
‘The Hankook is a major reason why we’ve been able to attract new business,’ added Wojcieszyn.
NTS ME has also ordered a second Hankook – a 13ND x 5000 model – from Ward CNC.
The 13ND offers larger capacity than the 9NC – 1300 mm diameter swing over the bed, 940mm diameter swing over the carriage, 5000mm between centres and 330mm diameter spindle through bore.
It also has a two-speed gearbox with auto gear change, 37kW (50HP) spindle motor, eight-station auto indexing head and 915mm diameter front and rear four-jaw chucks.
The nature of the NTS ME operation means batch sizes tend to be small – mainly three to 25, with many one-offs processed – though the move to a new, larger site will enable the company to meet demands for slightly larger batch machining.
‘Our plans for 2009 are to add another Hankook lathe (our third) to increase our capability, plus additional machinists to utilise the plant 24/6,’ said Ken Cameron, the local director of NTS ME.
‘The focus will continue to be on high-end repairs and low-volume manufacturing.’ NTS ME is the result of a joint investment and partnership between NTS and a Norwegian oil company.