News: State-of-the-art machining centre for Nuclear AMRC

The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) has placed an order for a state-of-the-art machining centre for their Rotherham facility.

The StarragHeckert HEC 1800 will be the first of its kind in commercial operation and will be the first machine outside Starrag's own facilities to be equipped with the new planetary turning and milling (PTM) technology.

The PTM device combines an extendable boring spindle with two radial turning tools, adding milling and turning capabilities to a horizontal boring machine. Together, the HEC 1800 and PTM provide seven axes of movement.

Lee Scott of StarragHeckert UK said: "The idea behind the PTM is to change the way large components are manufactured today.

"You'd usually have a multi-machine process – a vertical turning machine, milling machine, and dedicated boring machine. This allows you to do large components on one machine. It's a game-changing technology."

The PTM system is gaining strong interest from companies producing large casings and vessels for the power industries, oil and gas, and heavy transportation. Nuclear AMRC members will have an exclusive opportunity to work with this new technology.

Currently under construction on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, The Nuclear AMRC will provide a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain, ensuring that manufacturers in the UK have the capability and capacity required to compete for nuclear new build in the UK and globally, from skills training to research and development.

Stuart Dawson, machining group manager at the Nuclear AMRC said: "This could potentially revolutionise pump and valve manufacture.

"You're getting very close to being able to do all your machining operations on one machine. It could cut cycle time by up to 60% and improve accuracy by establishing all the geometric features in one set-up."

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC / Starrag