The installation of CNC milling and turning machine tools has established a West Midlands sub-contracting company as a major supplier of fully-machined components to customers throughout Europe.

Directly opposite the Rowley Regis premises of ISO 9001-accredited OPG (Precision Tools) is a large advertisement with the slogan 'Whatever you do, take pride'. Although the poster is promoting a well-known brand of beer, there could not be a more appropriate slogan for a precision engineering business where Stan Thatcher, founder and managing director, insists on a strict quality ethic. And such is his confidence in the quality of the service provided by OPG since its establishment in 1965 that his private telephone number even appears in the company's promotional literature.

Said Simon Daniels, OPG's works technical manager: 'I joined the company some 20 years ago and the MD has always been focused on high quality parts going out through the door.

This is a very friendly family business with a broad production capability and staffed by a relatively young workforce.

However, we have the experience and the determination to meet every challenge.' OPG offers a range of services that includes jig, profile, universal, tool and cutter, surface and centreless precision grinding.

However, it is the installation of computer-controlled milling and turning machine tools supplied by XYZ Machine Tools of Burlescombe, Devon that has established this West Midlands sub-contracting company as a major supplier of fully-machined components to customers throughout Europe, mainly in the aerospace, automotive, motor sport, oil and mining, and telecommunications industries.

According to Ricki Smith, Turning/Milling Shop manager, the decision to install two 15HP, 60-8000 rev/min XYZ 1010 vertical machining centres (VMCs) and two XYZ compact VMCs, a 13HP, 60-8000 rev/min Mini Mill 560 and the smaller 9HP, 60-8000 rev/min Mini Mill 450, was not just a price thing.

'Our ProtoTRAK-equipped XYZ manual/CNC lathe and turret mills had already played a pivotal role in our transition from manual machining but when looking to add a fourth-axis machining capability our operators were sold on just how easy these new CNC machines are to program.

They are equipped with the Siemens ShopMill conversational programming system, which is much more user-friendly than other CNC systems, and the service and support provided by XYZ is second to none.' All four VMCs are of Meehanite ribbed cast iron construction, with the two larger machines capable of taking components weighing up to 900kg and the smallest Mini Mill taking a table load of 280kg.

And, as Smith confirmed, the simple conversational programming of the Siemens ShopMill control means that the sequence to finished part program takes the minimum of operator keystrokes.

Best of all, once written completed programs can be checked out using graphical simulation, avoiding potentially expensive mistakes for end-users like OPG that machine specials rather than large batches of standard parts.

Having begun by offering a form grinding service to toolmakers, OPG moved into the complete manufacture of a wide range of formed tungsten carbide, polycrystalline diamond and high speed steel tooling; jigs and fixtures; and press tools.

It has since embraced precision milled and turned components, and the use of EDM wire and sink erosion in the manufacture of PCD and solid carbide wear parts.

Even so, there is still tremendous scope for the 20-employee business to continue moving forward.

'In its 40 year history OPG has always enjoyed a high level of customer loyalty,' said Thatcher.

'However, no company can afford to stand still and we are now targeting new market sectors as well as looking to our existing customer base.

The net result is that we are seeing a significant increase both in the number of enquiries and the volume of repeat business.' Thatcher added: 'Businesses cannot afford to become set in their ways and OPG has a clear focus and a defined market strategy.

Researching customers for feedback on the parts we have produced and checking they are receiving the quality of service they have come to expect from OPG is a key part of this strategy.

At the same time we are looking to what more we can do for them, from advice on possible design changes right the way through the production process, as well as identifying new opportunities in the manufacture of precision machined components and cutting tools.