Machine tool builder Mitsui Seiki is due to open technical center next month, concentrating on machining systems and techniques for the turbo machinery sector. The new Turbine Technology Center is situated at the company’s Franklin Lakes, N.J. operation. Mitsui Seiki offers a range of cutting and turning capabilities, extending from jig boring machines, jig grinders, horizontal and vertical machining centers, to 5-axis machining centers and screw grinders.
“Our existing and potential OEM and supply-chain customers in the turbo machinery industry will be able to conduct test cuts, apply different processes, experiment with cutting tool designs, and prove out CNC programs,” explained Mitsui Seiki vice president Tom Dolan. “They also will be able to try different integrated in-process quality control devices and software. The Center’s resources will help them determine the best strategies and solutions for their specific needs in their own factories.”
In addition, Mitsui Seiki will use the Center to further enhance its significant aerospace and power-generation turbine knowledge and applications expertise. Engineers will use the center like a lab to research and develop new, relevant technologies as they become available. The company will also use the Turbine Technology Center to refine its own machine designs.
“Our goal is to become our clients’ most responsive source to present, demonstrate, and evaluate new solutions so they can machine their turbine parts more efficiently and effectively,” according to Dolan.
The 3,000-sq. ft. Mitsui Seiki Turbine Technology Center will have three dedicated 5-axis machining centers that accommodate small and mid-size turbine components, including blades, blisks, and impellers.
Additionally, other related work like fuel system, disks, vanes, and ancillary parts can be processed.
The new Technical Center will be staffed by senior applications engineers with several years of experience in turbine component machining. Mitsui Seiki noted it is in discussion with certain industry and academic collaborators too, aiming to have them participate at the Center and contribute to its knowledge base and systems approach to CAD/CAM, tooling, inspection, and productivity software.
