Plano-milling
Beard Engineering has 4 large robust Plano-millers. This allows for various parts to be simultaneously machined for the same project, thus increasing productivity and reducing customer delivery times.
Our 4 Plano-millers can machine up to:
- 8,500mm in length
- 3,100mm in width
- 2,500mm in height
- 15 tonnes in weight
Plano-milling is a flexible process enabling 5 and occasionally 6 faces to be machined in one set. They are also capable of horizontal and vertical boring up to 800mm diameter providing versatility with economy.
All machines are equipped with a Ram-Type Head, various right angled attachments and a programmable 3 Axis DRO (Digital Read Out).
To increase the capability of these machines even further, we work closely with tooling manufacturers to design and develop our own bespoke cutting tools and machining techniques.
Our specific machine working envelopes:
- Hulse Planomiller 8500mm x 3100mm x 2500mm
- Loudon Planomiller 6100mm x 2280mm x 2000mm
- Butler Planomiller 4270mm x 1980mm x 1500mm
- Butler Planomiller 3050mm x 1370mm x 1220mm
Planing
We have 3 Planers:
- Waldrich Coburg X 6000mm Y 1450mm Z 1220mm (open sided type)
- Waldrich Coburg X 2500mm Y 1000mm Z 900mm (open sided type)
- Niles X 4900mm Y 1880mm Z 1830mm (Double column type)
These machines are ideally suited for the machining of surfaces without creating excessive heat, enabling us to achieving close tolerances.
Due to the way these machines cut metal, with their fixed tools and moving beds, almost any angle of chamfer can be created. Also by using this method, tight internal corners can be achieved. This alleviates the need for expensive custom tooling.
Example work pieces machined:
- Inspection Surface Tables up to 6000mm in length and 1880mm in width (To grade 2 specifications)
- Straight Edges, I section and Camel Back
- Portage Tables - machined in 1800mm x 1200mm modules, plain or slotted to individual requirements
- Bench Centres
- Vee Blocks
- Weld Preps/Chamfering Plates/Bars up to 6000mm
- Press Brake Tooling up to 6000mm
- Fabrications and Castings
- Deep Slotting
- Delicate machining of a “V” shape in sheet material
Deep Slotting
This process was developed with one of our customers who wanted to use our planing facilities to machine centre poles of approximately 600mm diameter with slots up to 370mm deep.
Machining a “V” shape in sheet material
We developed this machining method to give customers the ability to bend sheet material and create a tight 90 degree bend in a variety of metals, including ones with a mirror finish. Using this method we can machine material with a thickness as little as 1.5MM and a length of up to 6Metres.
This method has been used for creating:
- Picture frames
- Door frame cladding
- Shop displays
- LED light fittings
CNC Milling Project
