PROCESS

High demand and the launch of six new watch designs meant that Bremont had to increase its production capacity.

Manufacturing Capacity Doubled

british luxury watch manufacturer bremont made the most of Sandvik Coromant and DMG MORI’s strategic partnership as it introduced a turnkey manufacturing cell to double capacity at its factory.

Luxury watchmaker Bremont Watch Company is a true British manufacturing success story. Founded by brothers Nick and Giles English in 2002, the company specializes in the manufacture of certified chronometers for the aviation sector. These watches are assembled, as well as shock and quality tested, at the manufacturer’s dedicated headquarters in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK. Production of the main components, such as stainless steel backs and casings, takes place just a few minutes' drive away.

High demand and the launch of six new watch designs meant that Bremont’s production capacity had to be increased. To achieve this, the company purchased an NTX 1000, a state-of-the-art 5-axis machining center from DMG MORI, which is equipped with tool packages from Sandvik Coromant.

The project was six months in the making, explains Mathew Bates, a machine tool investment specialist from Sandvik Coromant’s UK Machine Tool Solutions team. “From the beginning, the objective was to deliver a ‘right first time’ solution,” explains Bates. “We wanted Bremont to be able to use the new system straight away.”

Close collaboration with application technicians from DMG MORI was needed, with regard to the selection of suitable tools.

“We knew that we had to produce six new watches,” says Bates. “As soon as the drawings were ready we met with specialists from DMG MORI to compile a list of standard tools and to determine which special tools would be needed.”

Integrated Automation For 24/7 Operation

The DMG MORI NTX 1000 is equipped with a magazine for 38 Coromant Capto® tools, with the option of expanding the capacity up to 76 tools. The turn and mill machine is suitable for turning and high-speed milling in 5 axes, simultaneously.

Thanks to the bar loader, the machine produces the different stainless steel components around the clock without any operator intervention.

Everything from a single source — tools, machine, automation and programming

Even before the installation of the machine, Frederick Shortt, application technician at DMG MORI, and his development team created and simulated the numerical control (NC) programs with the Vericut computer-aided Sandvik Coromant shows the customer its new tooling solution. manufacture (CAM) system.

“Together with Sandvik Coromant we optimized all programs in in combination with the Sandvik Coromant tools, the processes are such a way that as few tools as possible are needed,” says Shortt. absolutely trouble-free.”

In other words, Bremont only bought what they really needed. Bates added, “Thanks to the collaboration between Sandvik As this all took place before the installation, so Bremont was able to Coromant and DMG MORI, it was possible to start production on the start producing from day one. NTX 1000 on the very first day.”

“This joint optimization meant that any teething problems were reduced to a minimum and the investment quickly paid off for ABOUT SANDVIK COROMANT Bremont,” explains James Rhys-Davies, Strategic Relations Director, Northern Europe at Sandvik Coromant. Part of global industrial engineering group Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant

“The call for such turnkey solutions will increase steadily. is at the forefront of manufacturing tools, machining solutions and Although the preliminary costs are sometimes a little higher, the knowledge that drive industry standards and innovations demanded benefits of a fast return on investment (ROI) and maximization of by the metalworking industry now and into the next industrial era. machine availability make such turnkey production cells a very Educational support, extensive R&D investment and strong customer attractive option, as cost per part is generally much lower.” partnerships ensure the development of machining technologies that change, lead and drive the future of manufacturing. Sandvik Coromant Tolerances Between 3 And 5 Micrometres (µm) owns over 3100 patents worldwide, employs over 7,900 staff, and is Exactly as planned, Bremont was able to start full production of represented in 150 countries. the watch components immediately after installation of the new machine. Malcolm Kent, Production Manager at Bremont, was For more information visit www.sandvik.coromant.com extremely satisfied with the results.

“We were surprised at the speed and high quality to which we Contact Details for Editorial Enquiries can now produce the individual components,” he says. “We produce very complex parts with tolerances of 3 to 5 µm, where quality and Nikki Stokes – Global PR – Sandvik Coromant precision are of paramount importance. Thanks to the NTX 1000 Email: nikki.stokes@sandvik.com

NTX 1000 maximum turn and mill performance, perfectly combined

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