CNC Machine Tools Success Stories

As part of its ongoing focus on utilising the most advanced concepts in machining, tooling, holding devices and techniques, Aero Spec Engineering has recently made a number of significant additions to its world-class machining facility located in Clayton South, Victoria.

Aero Spec owners Mark and Nick Linke with their brand new Mazak FJV- 60/80 double-column vertical machining centre.

Aero Spec is a family owned business established by Klaus Linke in 1973, and is now managed by his two sons Nick and Mark, who bought the business in 2000.

To help enable their vision of taking the business to new opportunities, the brothers changed the company name, invested in a larger manufacturing facility and established a commitment to continual investment in the latest CNC machine and tooling technology.

Aero Spec specialises in supplying complex and difficult to manufacture components to various industries such as medical, defence, infrastructure, transport, aviation and mining. Their expertise in machining, CNC turning, three, four and five-axis CNC milling, and design and turnkey manufacturing has enabled the company to develop a reputation as a one-stop manufacturing facility capable of catering for every requirement, including working with materials such as stainless, inconel, acrylics, PEEK and other plastics. While Aero Spec shines in working with complex and difficult components, they also excel in manufacturing simpler parts and never consider any job too small.

The company’s latest investments include a Mazak FJV-60/80 double column CNC vertical machining centre, two Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X multiple surface machining centres, and a Mazak Quick Turn 250MY turning centre with multi-tasking capability – all supplied by John Hart.

The Mazak FJV-60/80 is a double-column vertical machining centre with enhanced performance, intelligent functions and rigid machine construction, ideally suited for heavy-duty, high-precision machining. The Mazak FJV’s special design ensures extremely high-precision machining over extended periods of operation by eliminating the spindle overhang often seen in C-frame vertical machining centres. Furthermore, its ergonomic design ensures convenient loading/unloading of large workpieces and overall ease of operation.

The Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X vertical machining centres, each equipped with a high-precision rotary/tilt table, are a highperformance solution for those considering simultaneous five-axis technology. The machines handle all processes from raw material input through final machining to provide dramatic reductions in lead times and improve workpiece accuracy through the elimination of multiple setups. Designed to deliver high speed, high-accuracy multiple-surface machining and ease of operation, the Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X defines a new standard for multi-tasking machines.

The Mazak Quick Turn 250MY CNC turning centre with multitasking capability brings together advanced technology, productivity and value to deliver exceptional performance in virtually any turning operation. The machine features milling capability and Y-axis functionality along with a standard through-hole chuck package and an integral turning spindle motor to process a wide range of parts in a single setup. The new Mazak machines feature the latest MAZATROL SmoothX and SmoothG CNC controls, contributing to the speed, ease of set-up and operation.

“We purchased these new Mazak machines for the extra capability, faster machine cycles, faster set-up times and to cut down on multiple-operations,” explains Nick Linke. “Adding to our workshop productivity in the changing market was an important factor in our decision to purchase these machines. Although a large investment we continually budget to accommodate a growing workload.”

Mark Linke adds: “These machines best suit the complex highaccuracy work we are manufacturing, which is why we chose the Mazak, because we think they are one of the leading machinery makers in the world. The benefits we have experienced are timesavings in the job set-up, job to job, and also the Mazak controller and machine access helps the operator.”

Mark continues: “John Hart accommodates our company and fine-tunes our choices in machine options and machine styles, and has been an important partner in Aero Spec’s growth. John Hart’s service is also an important factor in our decision making as they have an extensive, dependable and responsive support infrastructure.”

Nick concludes: “We purchased our first Mazak in 1988, a secondhand lathe. Today we are proud to own 10 state-of-the-art Mazak machines. Over that time, because of the positive impact on our capability and productivity, we have always kept up-to-date with the latest Mazak technology.”

Aero Spec’s new Mazak Variaxis j-500/5X vertical machining centres.