Gall Engineering takes delivery of tenth Mazak machine

Gall Engineering has invested in its tenth Yamazaki Mazak machine tool to boost capacity at its Aberdeenshire facility.

A new QT-450 turning centre was recently delivered to the company’s Kintore machine shop, following the installation of an INTEGREX i-450 Multi-Tasking machine late last year.

The new acquisition is part of Gall Engineering’s strategy to expand beyond its traditional subcontracting base specialising in oil and gas work, where it manufactures a range of components including downhole and completion tooling as well as subsea equipment. The new machine will enable Gall Engineering to move further into new sectors, including the renewables and geothermal sectors.

Stewart Gall, Managing Director of Gall Engineering, says the QT-450 will drive expansion and diversification: “We operate 24/7 with 15 machinists, which means we’re running very close to capacity. The new QT-450 turning centre will allow us to increase capacity and take on more work in some of our target growth sectors.”

He continues: “The oil and gas sector has been quieter this year, which has led to a pivot towards renewables and the Mazak machines have allowed us to accommodate this move.”

Gall Engineering has a long-standing relationship with Mazak dating back to 2010, with its machine shop now featuring a range of Mazak machines including models from its INTEGREX Multi-Tasking and VTC vertical machining centre series.

The new QT-450 is a high-productivity turning centre which offers unsurpassed versatility and value. Equipped with an 18-inch chuck and 2,000 rpm spindle, the machine’s high-rigidity construction helps minimise vibration during high-speed operation to deliver exceptional surface finishing and maximise tool life. It is controlled via MAZATROL SmoothG CNC which combines the latest hardware and software for unprecedented speed and precision.  

“We’ve chosen to integrate Mazak across all our machining operations because of the MAZATROL conversational programming,” says Stewart. “As a result, we’re able to move our 15 machinists around the machine shop to use different machines depending on the requirements of the job. This helps keep us productive and more efficient.”

Steven Hunter, Director at Scotmaz Machine Tools, Yamazaki Mazak’s Scottish agent, which has worked closely with Gall Engineering on its machine acquisition strategy, says the company’s success is based on being able to adapt to market opportunities.

“Gall Engineering is a classic example of a subcontract engineering company that has been able to broaden its target markets via the strategic acquisition of flexible machines that can be used across multiple applications, coupled with the standardisation on a single CNC control that enables the company’s machinists to work across its entire machine portfolio. It’s been a pleasure to play a part in Gall Engineering’s success and we look forward to continuing the partnership.”