A division of Hurco Companies, Inc.
A division of Hurco Companies, Inc.
Takumi Testimonial: Metalcraft Impression Die
When you ship over 75 million parts per year, you need equipment you can rely on.
For Wilko Plastics, having integrated tool manufacturing operations cements them as a premier supplier of plastic injection molded parts. As for their choice of machine tool for these complex molds, they look to the Takumi VC0852 linear guide vertical machining center.
So many parts
Based in the Detroit exurb of Romeo, Michigan, Wilko ships those 75 million parts per year primarily to the automotive industry. Applications include safety, A-class surface, functional, underhood and fuel system components, and Wilko is now known for specializing in complex applications. The company offers two-shot injection molding as well as insert/over molding.
These types of tight-tolerance injection molding processes demand the best tooling. Wilko maintains full in-house tooling design and manufacturing capabilities, giving them a competitive edge.
“Our integrated tool room allows us to maintain a high level of quality, as well as keep control of lead times and costs,” says Aaron Doutry, Director of Engineering at Wilko.
When milling needed an upgrade, they found Takumi.
Previously, the Wilko tool room was occupied with older machining centers from Fadal. “We knew we needed more speed and accuracy, but wanted to stay in the middle with costs,” said Doutry. They reached out to Merrifield Machinery Solutions, their long-time local machine tool
distributor, who presented them with multiple options, including the Takumi VC0852.
“Takumi is an amazing machine that doesn’t get enough of the spotlight,” said Nick Merrifield, President at Merrifield Machinery. “It’s a high-end FANUC controlled machine that is backed by the service and support of the Hurco Companies. The machines are bulletproof; we don’t get a lot of service calls on the Takumi machines we’ve put in the field.”
In October 2023, Merrifield installed the Takumi VC0852 at Wilko Plastics. Featuring a 15,000 RPM 40 taper BIG-Plus spindle and 1,417 IPM rapids, this linear guide VMC was a big upgrade for Wilko. The 1,000 mm x 520 mm (39.4” x 20.5”) work table and 500 kg (1,102 lb) max workpiece weights gives them the capacity needed for their range of automotive injection molding dies.
Speed, precision and rigidity
While Wilko still uses some of the older machines for roughing applications, the Takumi is the go-to machine for critical cavity finishing work.
“We’re able to run the Takumi up to 3,000 RPM faster than our other finishing machines,” said Doutry. “Our ball end mills are holding up longer, and we’re seeing a 20% to 30% increase in cutting tool life.”
But the VC0852 isn’t just about speed; it offers Takumi’s legendary rigidity and precision as well. “Even when roughing with 2” mills, the machine sounds great,” said Doutry. “There are absolutely no accuracy or blend issues with the machine at all.”
The cherry on top: local service and support (it may be needed eventually!)
Another key reason that Wilko went with Takumi: a local parts inventory and service network.
“Local warehousing of parts is a huge deal,” said Doutry. “We have injection molding machines from overseas companies, and the costs are high when we need to overnight parts from Europe.”
But since installation, there have been no issues with the machine and no need to test the service network. “Over two years, the Takumi has been a very good bang for the buck,” said Doutry.
For machines (and people) you don’t have to worry about, try Takumi.
Wilko Plastics has the processes and personnel in place to excel with many different machine tool OEMs. Their trust in Merrifield led them to Takumi, and the machine has proven to be as capable and reliable as their dealer partner.
If you’re fed up with being let down by equipment or support, the solution just might be the Taiwanese builder that’s coming in hot. Talk to us anytime about your machine tool needs. And for your next read, dive into the Top 5 Reasons To Invest In Takumi.