In early 2013, Total CNC Products and Gough Engineering began discussions around the specification and supply of CNC machinery for the Gough Engineering machining facility in Christchurch. In August 2014, Total CNC installed and commissioned the new Victor Machining Center VC-165.
“This was a long process involving many hours of discussion, research & presentation with Gough before the final machine specification was agreed upon,” says Total CNC managing director Rodney Oxford. “The final machine choice, the Victor VC-165 is perfect for this large, heavy-duty fabrication & machining shop.” The VC-165 is typical of Victor’s heavy duty workhorse philosophy when it comes to a machine of this size. It travels 1650mm (x) by 850mm (y) by 900mm (z), has table dimensions of 1700mm by 800mm, & its spindle runs at 6000rpm BBT50 through heavy duty gearbox.
The VC-165 weighs an incredible 16,500kg & Gough Engineering can load 2500kg on the machine table. It is fitted with the latest Heidenhain iTNC-530 controller along with workpiece probing, ensuring the ability for staff to program on the machine controller & using CAM in the future. Options of coolant through spindle & a full simultaneous 4th axis are also included on the machine.
“Gough Engineering required horsepower over speed & this was an important consideration when selecting the right machine. With a 30kW maximum power spindle motor combined with Victor’s own-design & built gearbox, heavy cutting & metal removal will not be an issue for the VC-165. Even the largest jobs will be easily handled by this new machine.” One of the very important considerations for Gough Engineering was the technical support & service that would be offered with a new machine. “We invited Gough Engineering to contact several of Total CNC’s key clients & the service & support promise was backed up & proven to be the best on the table,” Mr Oxford says. “Already during our professional installation & commissioning procedure we have proven why we were the best choice, & the machine was up & running within a week of arriving & with very little disruption to Gough’s day-to-day operations.”
Total CNC also supplied the bulk of the tooling requirements for the new VC-165 & partnered with Kennametal to provide tool holders, & Mr Oxford has encouraged Gough Engineering to run Kennametal’s milling & drilling tools. “Already this combination has proven itself with the first heavy duty job being ‘eaten’ by the power of the machine & performance of the tools!”
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