New machining center unveiled at Link-Belt
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2001) — Jim Forshee, vice-president, manufacturing, announced that the new $2.9 million vertical spindle milling and boring machine will go online in May 2001 with hydraulic crane upper weldments being targeted as the first product family to be certified. With more than a year invested in site preparation, installation, calibration and training, this new capital investment features one of the largest machining centers available for improving manufacturing processes and assuring consistent quality for large weldments.
“This upgrade will greatly improve our machine and process capability to enable Link-Belt to meet demand for lattice boom weldment machining. This investment in the latest milling and boring technology will allow us to meet or exceed our internal and external customer requirements as well as meeting future capacity requirements,” says Forshee.
The massive Mitsubishi machining center is 110 feet long, 28 feet wide and 27 feet high and can handle weldments as big as 44 feet long, 55 inches high, and 9-feet wide in one pass. The large bed significantly improves throughput, as a second weldment can be set-up simultaneously while machining is performed on the first weldment.
Pursuing its commitment to continuous improvement, the company continues to invest in major capital improvements to improve machining capability and increase capacity while assuring a quality process.