ENGINEERING NEWS - October 2008

WORLD FIRST FOR INTEGRATED HYDRAULICS AND DOOSAN

Christchurch machining company Integrated Hydraulics has continued its investment in high-tech machining equipment with the purchase of the world’s first eleven pallet DOOSAN horizontal CNC machine.

Managing Director, David Lawry, says the new DOOSAN HP 5100 is the first machine of its type in New Zealand and the first DOOSAN HP 5100 CNC machine ever with an 11 pallet stacker.

“This is an outstanding unit which will make a big contribution to the productivity of our operation,” said Lawry.

The state-of-the-art machine is a timely introduction to Integrated Hydraulics’ production, with the company experiencing a surge in demand for short run production from both domestic and off-shore clients.

“Many of our orders are for CNC manufactured parts from 20 to 500 units. Typically manufacturers find it hard to get larger foreign production houses to do short runs. If you aren’t going to fill a 20’ container then they are not usually interested. We provide clients with a fast service and can accommodate their need for relatively short runs and quick turn-around times.

“Quality is another issue that is important to our clients. We find that we have some very loyal clients because we produce consistently good quality components that clients can rely on.

“We now have 9 vertical and 3 horizontal CNC machines. The new machine will allow us to increase our production to meet the high number of orders we are currently receiving.”

The DOOSAN HP 5100 features a 262 tool automatic tool changer, a 500mm x 500mm pallet size with maximum work area of 800mm diameter x 930mm high, and a 14000 RPM Big-plus BT40 spindle with 70 bar thru coolant.

Lawry says that the new DOOSAN unit will enable Integrated Hydraulics to increase production volumes of machined components and hydraulic manifolds, as well as giving the company additional capacity for new work like finish machining of castings.

“Demand for our manifold expertise remains very high, particularly from the Australian market,” says Lawry. “There are no indications from that sector that things will slow down in the short to medium term. We are also talking to a number of manufacturing concerns throughout Asia with some encouraging signs for future partnerships. On the whole we are reasonably bullish about the market, despite the current economic uncertainty.”

ENGINEERING NEWS - May 2007

LEADING HYDRAULIC MANIFOLD PRODUCER EXPANDS HIGH PRECISION MACHINING OPERATION

Leading hydraulic manifold producer Integrated Hydraulics is experiencing a surge in demand for its precision machined hydraulic components. The company has just commissioned another horizontal CNC machine to keep up with the ever increasing demand.

Integrated Hydraulics Managing Director, David Lawry, says the addition of a Matsuura MAM-500 machining centre follows the commissioning last year of a state-of-the-art Matsuura H.Plus-630 horizontal machine. This brings Integrated’s total to 9 vertical and 2 horizontal machining centres.

“Most of the demand is coming from companies with a strong export focus,” says Lawry. “There is more demand than ever for quality New Zealand based machining across a number of industries from manufacturing jet-boats to producing tree harvesting components and container lifting equipment.

“The largest item Integrated Hydraulics have produced is a massive 2.5 tonne Cotton Press control manifold with a 750lpm flow and 350bar pressure. The smallest a 0.8 kg component for the agricultural industry.

“We can provide New Zealand manufacturers with the same level of international-standard technology, capacity and precision. The increase in capacity means that we can keep both lead times and prices down. The pallet loader on the new MAM-500 means we can ramp up production quickly. We will be installing a similar pallet loader for Matsuura H.Plus-630 in the near future.”

The new machine is a Matsuura MAM-500HF PC11 with high speed Yasnac i80 controller and double contact BT40 spindle. The machine features a 120 automatic tool changer and 11 piece pallet changer with 350mm x 350mm pallet size. The MAM-500 has a maximum work area of 500mm diameter x 500mm high each. It operates with a 15000RPM Big-plus BT40 spindle 20 bar thru coolant.

As for the demand for hydraulic manifold machining, Lawry doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon.

“We are seeing strong demand driven by export led New Zealand manufacturing companies, at a time when the Kiwi dollar is relatively high. When conditions are more favourable for exporters I would expect that demand to strengthen even more. There are also some very smart New Zealand Companies doing some very clever things, and I can’t see that stopping.

“For us it is a good time to make sure we have the right CNC capacity and systems in place. We need to ensure that we continue to supply our clients with good quality product on time and at the best price, regardless of demand.”

ENGINEERING NEWS - June 2006

SOUTH ISLAND TEAM EFFORT PRODUCES HI TECH RESULTS


Christchurch machining company Integrated Hydraulics Ltd has teamed up with International manufacturer Intermech and Timaru company Cancast to produce high end compressor machinery for export markets.

Auckland based Intermech design and manufacture key CNG refuelling components and export their products around the globe. It is a highly specialised area requiring very fine machining and quality control.

Integrated Hydraulics Managing Director, David Lawry, says relatively low production costs in the South Island give Intermech a manufacturing advantage.

“Although the compressor casings are cast in Timaru, they must pass through Christchurch on their way North. We take the castings from their raw state and add value through our precision engineering CNC operation. The relative low labour and overhead costs in the South Island mean we can deliver significant cost benefits to Intermech, without compromising quality at all.”

Mr Lawry says acquiring a state-of-the-art Matsuura H-Plus 630 horizontal machining centre has enabled Integrated Hydraulics to deliver international-standard technology, capacity and precision.

“We now have a world class CNC machining capability which allows us to produce high-demand quality components. The large size of the H.Plus-630 also means we can easily cope with the physical size of the C.N.G. compressor casting,” said Mr Lawry. We have also recently invested in a versatile TESA digital height gauge, which allows us to accurately monitor the quality requirements of our customer’s products.”

With a high speed Fanuc 30iM control, heavy duty BT50 spindle, the H.Plus-630 can work a wide range of materials. The machine features a 240 tool automatic tool changer, 630mm x 630mm pallet size with maximum work area of 1050mm diameter x 1000mm high, 12000RPM Big-plus BT50 spindle with 70 bar thru coolant.

Intermech’s General Manager Rajeev Dadhe says the decision to use South Island expertise is based on quality production and significant cost savings.

“Our core product is CNG compressors. With the price of oil rising we are experiencing a huge surge in demand worldwide for our product,” said Dadhe. “We could not meet this demand unless we looked for specialist partners to supply components which are outside our key competencies.

“The compressor chamber we use requires some complex casting, coupled with high spec precision machining. In our opinion the South Island has some of the best foundries. So the combination of Cancast and Intergrated Hydraulics is a very competent and cost effective solution for us.

“The fact that Cancast is in Timaru and Integrated Hydraulics is located in Christchurch and we are in Auckland is not a factor at all. We hope to have a long and prosperous relationship with both companies.”

ENGINEERING NEWS - December 2005

LEADING MANIFOLD PRODUCER EXPANDS HIGH PRECISION MACHINING OPERATION

Christchurch machining company Integrated Hydraulics Ltd has expanded its machining capability with the purchase of a new Matsuura H-Plus 630 horizontal machining centre.

Managing Director, David Lawry says acquiring the state-of-the-art CNC machine was a response to the increasing demand for high quality, high precision machining in New Zealand.

"There is more demand than ever for quality New Zealand based machining across a number of industries from manufacturing jet-boats to producing aeroplane components," says Lawry. "The large size of the H.Plus-630 means it is used extensively overseas for the machining of larger parts for the automotive and aircraft industries.

"We can now provide New Zealand manufacturers with the same level of international-standard technology, capacity and precision. The size of the machine has also been a bonus for our core Hydraulic manifold business".

Lawry says Matsuura have been at the forefront of innovative CNC design since their foundation in 1935. The H.Plus-630 is another example of the company's high-speed, high-rigidity and high-accuracy CNC machines (so far 550 machines of H.Plus Series have been sold worldwide).

With a high speed Phanuc 30iM control, heavy duty BT50 spindle, the H.Plus-630 can effortlessly work a wide range of materials. The machine features a 240 tool automatic tool changer, 630mm x 630mm pallet size with maximum work area of 1050mm diameter x 1000mm high, 12000RPM Big-plus BT50 spindle70 bar thru coolant.

Lawry says that this will enable Integrated to produce highly specified components such as precision dies and production components as well as hydraulic manifolds.

For further information contact:

Integrated Hydraulics Ltd
Tel: 03 962 1930
Fax: 03 960 1931
Email: sales@ihl.co.nz.