Sheffield-based engineering firm Tufcot recently made a significant investment in its machining capabilities, positioning itself as a major player in the marine and large-diameter composites sector.
With the recent acquisition of three state-of-the-art machines, the company is set to offer faster turnaround times, greater efficiency, and an expanded range of machining options.
The latest additions to Tufcot’s CNC section include the Doosan Puma 4100MC, which follows the earlier acquisition of the Doosan Puma 700LM, and the Karmetal D800 x 1250 Horizontal Bandsaw. This expansion brings the company’s total CNC inventory to sixteen machines, significantly increasing its ability to handle larger-diameter work.
“We’re pushing into the marine sector where rapid turnaround is crucial,” says Justin Krebs, Tufcot’s Operations Manager. “For example, a rudder bearing repair often needs completing within three days because dry dock fees can be upwards of £100,000 per day. Our new machines allow us to reduce lead times dramatically, making us far more competitive.”
The investment, which took over a year from planning to installation, has been designed to increase efficiency across the board. The new Karmetal Bandsaw, for instance, has revolutionised material preparation, reducing processes that once took several hours down to just minutes.
Meanwhile, the Doosan Puma 700LM, equipped with bespoke, in-house-designed jaws and a harmonically tuned boring bar, now allows Tufcot to machine bearings up to 950mm in diameter and 1200mm in length. “The machine’s work-holding capacity has been creatively extended beyond its standard limits, allowing us to achieve more for less,” Justin explains.
Beyond just new machinery, Tufcot’s commitment to innovation plays a crucial role in its success. “We’ve designed custom work-holding methods and tuning solutions that enhance our machining capabilities without the need for excessive capital expenditure,” says Krebs. “Rather than buying a single million-pound machine, we’ve taken a smarter approach, integrating advanced tooling and unique techniques to push our equipment beyond its designed limits.”
The result is more efficient production and a greater ability to service urgent marine repair requests. The introduction of driven tooling at these much bigger diameters means multiple processes, such as turning, drilling, and milling, can now be performed in a single setup – improving efficiency and reducing errors. “Previously, machining a bearing could take a day and a half. Now, we can turn one around in just three to four hours,” explains Justin.
Tufcot’s investment not only strengthens its market position but also reassures its workforce about the company’s long-term prospects. “Seeing this level of investment tells our employees that the future is bright,” Justin adds. “When new technology comes in, it excites the team, and it’s great to see them fully engaged with the process.”
With an eye on the future, as well as the recent additions, Tufcot is hoping to solidify its reputation as a leader in the engineering and composites industry, ensuring it remains at the cutting edge of technological advancement.
