The wind whispers bigger: Drilling Performance

END USER: Milwaukee Machine Works, (414) 476-3285, www.milwaukeemachineworks.com.
CHALLENGE: Machine larger and more complex parts for the energy industry.
SOLUTION: A horizontal boring mill for machining parts up to 10′ long.
SOLUTION PROVIDER: Fives Machining Systems Inc., (920) 906-2860, www.fivesmsi.com.

As wind turbine builders help slake the world’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for power, they design progressively larger and more complex turbines. Those turbines, in turn, require part manufacturers serving the sector to have machine tools that can handle the turbines’ behemoth parts.

Milwaukee (Wis.) Machine Works has an extensive history of making large parts for the energy industry, such as gearbox and generator housings and fluid end manifolds made of cast iron and 4340 steel. It found the marketplace was demanding parts bigger than its largest machine tool could handle, according to General Manager Mike Manna.

To determine which machine to purchase, MMW compared six on a matrix of more than 20 machine features and benefits, including machining envelope, horsepower, quill length, quill diameter and way capability. “The analysis assured we were systematically reviewing all relevant features to make sure the machine is capable of doing the type of work we needed it to do,” Manna said.

Courtesy of Fives Machining Systems

Mike Manna, general manager for Milwaukee Machine Works, notes the company’s new Giddings & Lewis MC 1600 horizontal boring mill enables automated large-part machining with its machining center capabilities.