REBUILDING, RETROFITTING AND RE-ENGINEERING MACHINE TOOLS

At Curtis Machine Tools Ltd, machine tools are rebuilt , retrofitted and re-engineered. Advice is always available to help make a decision as to which option will best suit your circumstances.
Rebuilding: restoring a machine as closely as possible to its original specification.
Retrofitting: adding new control components or subsystems (e.g. CNC), to improve the performance and flexibility of a machine. It can also simplify the operating procedures and reduce the level of supervision required.
Re-engineering: to redesign and build a new machine using selected components from the original. The new machine will have improved performance, additional capabilities and is often customized to suit a particular application.
RA5 before re-engineering

BEFORE RE-ENGINEERING: 20 year old Swiss made cylindrical grinding machine with manual / hydraulic cam operated axes and relay controls.

 RA5 after re-engineering

AFTER RE-ENGINEERING: The machine elements were stiffened for greater precision and faster traverse speeds. CNC was added together with a new workpiece handling system, gauging station, palletiser and state-of-the-art servo systems. The result, a revitalized and customized machine tool that will be competitive for many years.
ADVANTAGES OF RE-ENGINEERING

With ever increasing production rates and new cutting technologies, some machine tools can reach the end of their competitive lives long before they are mechanically redundant. In these situations it can be necessary to go beyond rebuilding or retrofitting and ‘re-engineer’ the machine tool.
Having an old machine tool re-engineered  has three main advantages.

bulletPERFORMANCE: ‘best practice’ production processes can be introduced to match or exceed the performance available from new ‘standard’ equipment. Sub-processes can be added, e.g. deburring, auto feeding, gauging and handling, etc., to reduce cycle times, component costs and floor space requirements.
bulletCOSTS: when comparing the cost of a re-engineered machine with equipment of comparable performance and capabilities, substantial savings often result; especially when production rates are very high or the component is of a specialist or unusual nature.
bulletONE YEAR WRITE-OFF: in accounting terms, re-engineering costs can legitimately be classified as refurbishment and written-off in one year.
bulletSERVICES PROVIDED
bulletDesign - mechanical, electrical and software designed in-house.
bulletBuild - highly competent work-force with traditional and new technology skills.
bulletDocumentation - comprehensive manuals covering safety, maintenance and operation.
bulletInstallation - full installation and commissioning service
bulletAfter Sales - full customer support from process validation to ongoing maintenance and repair services.
Grinder before re-engineering

BEFORE RE-ENGINEERING
30 year old machine as received.

 Grinder after re-engineering

AFTER RE-ENGINEERING
The objective was to improve reliability, increase the cutting speed and reduce changeover times. These objectives were achieved by using state-of-the-art CNC techniques with user friendly dialogue screen guides for setting and operating.

 

QUOTATIONS AND ENQUIRIES

To obtain a quotation for rebuilding, retrofitting or re-engineering a machine tool, please telephone to briefly outline your requirements. Alternatively, click on the enquiry form button below and complete the simple form that follows. We will then make arrangements to inspect the machine and discuss its new specification. Tel: 01206 230032

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