Frame Fast (UK) Ltd, based in Derby, has installed an SCM CNC machining centre, model Accord 20FX, for the processing of composite doors that have recently been added to the wide range of Frame Fast’s products supplied to its customers, including small independent installers, builders, large construction companies, local authorities and housing associations in the Derby and surrounding areas.
The SCM machine was part of a £500,000 investment in machinery that also included glass processing machinery, so that Frame Fast can now produce themselves, more products previously bought in and therefore substantially improve quality, delivery times and customer service.
Production manager, Jason Pascoe, comments: “We used to buy our composite doors in, but upon tendering for a large council contract, it became obvious we had to invest in a CNC to process Nan Ya door blanks and therefore, after discussing our requirements with SCM’s area sales manager, Ian McCarthy, and having a reference from another local manufacturer who had an SCM machine, we decided to go ahead with the Accord 20FX.”
The Accord 20FX is a new generation modular machining centre designed for machining operations requiring heavy duty stock removal along with high precision and provide a top quality finish over the entire machining area due to the rigid mobile portal structure and safety systems designed to exploit the maximum production capacity of the machine without any movement limitations.
With a 3680 x 1380mm table size to accommodate any size of door, there are six mobile bars each fitted with vacuum suction cups which securely fix the door blanks to the table for subsequent machining via a 250m3/hour vacuum pump. Rows of front and rear stops enables the operator to easily position the door blanks and is assisted by two lifting supports that descend when the vacuum is activated and the machining cycle commences.
A powerful 8.5Kw, 24,000rpm routing head, trims the outside of the door blank to the required dimensions and then machines any profiles or apertures for varying sizes and shapes for glazing cassettes.
Machining is then carried out for various door locking systems using a powerful independent horizontal routing head with two outputs for the heavy duty tools necessary for machining the lock and hinge recesses. Then machining for letter plates, handles, etc is carried out by the vertical routing head.
The Accord has a TR10 side tool magazine that accepts up to 10 tools to enable fast tool changing of the vertical routing tools. With the very latest “Pro-Space” safety system fitted and the machine running at 25m/mi, the Accord does not require safety mats or light cells, so the operator is able to remove trim off-cuts and aperture waste material during the machining cycle, thus saving valuable production time.
All the machine’s electrics, pneumatic and electronic equipment is located in the Accord’s base saving valuable floor space. The operator has the latest Tecpad mobile control console with a seven inch touch screen that enables full control of the Accord while the operator can view all the machining operations through the front safety guard window.
Jason Pascoe concludes: “We are very happy with the SCM machining centre and are currently processing 30 to 40 doors a week but this is soon to increase to double that number in our traditional busy period up to Christmas.
“If we already stock the Nan Ya door slab to the required colours, we have been known to turnaround a door in just 24 hours which, obviously, pleases our customers – and word soon spreads that then brings in more business. Our aim is always to go that extra mile!”
