Onwards and upwards at Baker Engineering!

2014 - Baker Engineering PR1Situated in the heartland of aero engine, railway and power generation manufacturing, Derby based Baker Engineering Limited is a subcontractor success story after founder Adrian Baker established the company eight years ago.

Now employing eight skilled personnel, Adrian has recently made a major investment in the businesses future with the purchase of a Quaser MV184P vertical machining centre – an addition that has enabled the business to move to a new level in terms of precision, productivity and capability.

Adrian says his operation is more akin to a tool room environment – “we do an awful lot of one off and bespoke projects so have to be very adaptable – an attitude that reflects our machine purchase policy,” he says. “Mould tools and fixturing predominate but the operations’ capabilities extend to aerospace and rail car components for nearby major suppliers.”

Across a range of disciplines the compact MV 184P is proving itself to be a highly adept machine.

It was specified with a Fanuc 31i control to suit Baker’s style of work.  “We programme off line and mostly work from customer solid models or step files so needed the processing speed in preference to the memory that other controls offer,” Adrian explains.  “The Fanuc is also the system our operators are used to on other machines so it made sense.”

The MV 184P offers a high specification and is supplied with Quaser’s unique grease replenishment system fitted as standard. Baker’s machine has a BBT40, 48 tool capacity ATC and is equipped with 15,000rpm spindle, a 7 point thermal management system, the generous 1200 x 600 work table and the 20 bar through coolant at the spindle. The machine also has linear slides and scales as standard.

Adrian is impressed with the build quality and high standard specification of the Quaser.

“I likened our operation to that of a toolroom and the Quaser feels very much like a toolroom machine with its build quality. It came pretty much ready to go and we were in full production within a couple of days,” he recalls.

“It was a great leap forward for us and the 610mm Y axis is a big feature.  We have a metre capacity on another machine so can accommodate some decent size workpieces across the two if required.

“Machine power was also important with its 22kW motor.  Workpiece materials vary greatly from aluminium to stainless, titanium’s and nimonics so we need the on-board capability,” he adds.