the 05/16/2008

Manufacturing cell CNC atatches collars

attaching machine The Middle East's largest manufacturer of welded casing (pipe), the Arabian Pipes Company (APC) based

in Riyadh Second Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, sought to replace two hollow spindle lathes Aberdeen consultants, Norkram,

approached Broadbent Stanley first, a specialist lathe builder in Halifax, West Yorkshire  APC's specification initially

specified two 'stand alone', hollow spindle CNC lathes with a 21in (535mm) spindle bore for machining an 18.625in (473mm) oil

standard, buttress thread on each end of a 40ft (12.2m) long steel casing. APC wanted the machines delivered on a short lead

time. The lathes would then be supplied to another party who would be responsible for the complete turnkey package. Further

reading Non-linear error correction is major factor As well as being reliable and very user-friendly, the Acu-Rite/Quadra-

Chek technology deals with non-linear error correction, which is another factor that sets it apart, says a user. Training

Centre has latest in CNC and DRO CNC and DROs are helping ensure that the Humber Engineering Training Centre is one of the

finest of its kind in the UK. The cell incorporated a complex mechanical handling system for manoeuvring the 40ft casings and

a torquing machine for attaching the threaded joining collars to them. Thomas believed that with the experience and knowledge

available within Broadbent Stanley, the company could handle the complete project and contacted APC via Ron Slater of Norkram

to quote for the full turnkey package. Thomas told manufacturingtalk that so impressed was the Saudi customer, a contract

price was negotiated and an order duly placed. While negotiations were proceeding, the Broadbent Stanley Company, purchased

by Thomas in 1999, was becoming increasingly busy. While producing the two model LC50 x 1.5m heavy duty oil country lathes

wasn't a problem, there was now no space within his Burnley Road factory to lay out the full manufacturing cell. People in

the UK say Yorkshiremen are resourceful. Thomas proved this by contacting specialist machine tool rebuilder and CNC

retrofitting company, Halifax Numerical Controls, (HNC) based in nearby Halifax. HNC agreed that Broadbent Stanley could use

the facility and HNC skills. Broadbent Stanley completed the lathes, fitting them with Schunk front and rear mounted

pneumatic self centring, three-jaw chucks, and shipped them to HNC. At the same time AMC Engineering in Aberdeen, Scotalnd,

delivered the torquing machine, with all mechanical handling equipment from American casing manipulating specialists OCTG of

Houston, Texas, to HNC. At HNC, Broadbent Stanley engineers, assisted by HNC personnel, constructed the cell, complete all

the climatically enclosed electrics. They also developed and wrote the additional software for the GE Fanuc 18i-TB controller

including the necessary thread repair cycles. All this was done within the tight schedule previously agreed with Broadbent

Stanley's customer. Successful cutting trials followed with the turnkey package delivered and installed as agreed. Broadbent

Stanley said that the customer was so impressed with the speed and efficiency of the project, combined with the quality and

competitive pricing of the two lathes, that Broadbent Stanley now tops APC's preferred supplier list for all their oil

country, hollow spindle turning requirements.