plantcapability

name	Plantcapability
description	MNMUK machine shop capability checker. Answers "can we make this?" queries against the plant list. Recommends optimal machine selection based on part requirements. USE WHEN user asks 'can we make', 'which machine', 'capability check', 'feasibility', 'what can we hold', 'tolerance capability', or describes a part to quote.

PlantCapability - MNMUK Machine Shop

Purpose: Instant feasibility checks and machine selection for quoting and planning.

When to Activate

• "Can we make this part?"
• "Which machine should we use for...?"
• "What's our tolerance capability on...?"
• "Can we turn/mill a part that is..."
• "Do we have capacity for..."
• Part feasibility questions during quoting

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MNMUK Plant List

5-AXIS MACHINING CENTRES

Machine	Envelope (X,Y,Z)	Tolerance	Features
DMG MORI NMV3000	470 x 350 x 510mm	±0.010mm	114 pallet automation
DMG MORI DMU50	650 x 650 x 550mm	±0.010mm	10 pallet automation
DMG MORI NHX500	650 x 650 x 750mm	±0.010mm	Twin pallet, 4-axis

Best for: Complex geometries, multi-face machining, aerospace/medical components, batch production with pallet systems.

4-AXIS MACHINING CENTRES

Machine	Envelope (X,Y,Z)	Tolerance	Features
Vertical 4-Axis VMC	700 x 500 x 450mm	±0.010mm	Rotary table

Best for: Parts requiring indexing, larger prismatic components.

TURNING CENTRES

Machine	Max Diameter	Bar Capacity	Z-Travel	Tolerance	Features
DMG MORI NLX2500 Twin	Ø200mm	Ø95mm	250mm	±0.010mm	Twin spindle, live tooling
DMG MORI NLX2500 Single	Ø200mm	Ø80mm	700mm	±0.010mm	Single spindle, live tooling, long parts
DMG MORI ALX2000	Ø150mm	Ø50.8mm	375mm	±0.005mm	Higher precision
HARDINGE Twin	Ø270mm	Ø50.8mm	350mm	±0.003mm	Best turning tolerance

Best for: Rotational parts, shaft work, parts with milled features (live tooling).

SWISS-TYPE MACHINES

Machine	Max Diameter	Bar Capacity	Z-Travel	Tolerance	Features
CITIZEN Sliding Head (Laser)	Ø50mm	Ø38.1mm	300mm	±0.003mm	Laser head, twin spindle, live tooling
CITIZEN Sliding Head LFV	Ø50mm	Ø38.1mm	300mm	±0.003mm	LFV chip breaking, twin spindle

Best for: Small precision parts, medical components, high-volume turned parts, difficult chip-breaking materials.

EDM MACHINES

Machine	Envelope (X,Y,Z)	Tolerance	Type
MITSUBISHI Wire EDM	350 x 350 x 350mm	±0.004mm	Wire erosion
MITSUBISHI Spark EDM	350 x 350 x 350mm	±0.050mm	Sinker/spark erosion

Best for: Hardened materials, complex internal profiles, sharp internal corners, die/mold work.

FAST RESPONSE CELL

Machine	Envelope/Capacity	Tolerance	Features
Haas Mini Mill	250 x 250 x 250mm	±0.050mm	Quick setup
Haas Tool Room Lathe	Ø180mm x 200mm	±0.050mm	Prototypes, one-offs

Best for: Prototypes, urgent one-offs, simple parts, proving out before production.

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Capability Decision Logic

Tolerance Selection Guide

Required Tolerance	Recommended Route
±0.003mm or tighter	HARDINGE turning, CITIZEN Swiss, Wire EDM
±0.005mm	DMG MORI ALX2000, Swiss machines
±0.010mm	Standard DMG MORI turning/milling
±0.050mm	Haas fast response cell
Looser	Any machine, optimize for cycle time

Part Type Routing

Turned Parts (rotational):

IF diameter > 200mm → CANNOT MAKE (max Ø270mm on Hardinge)
IF diameter > 150mm AND tolerance < ±0.005mm → HARDINGE only
IF diameter ≤ 50mm AND high volume → CITIZEN Swiss
IF length > 700mm → CANNOT MAKE (max Z700mm on NLX2500 Single)
IF tolerance ≤ ±0.003mm → HARDINGE or CITIZEN
ELSE → DMG MORI NLX2500 (twin for short parts, single for long)

Milled Parts (prismatic):

IF any dimension > 700mm → CANNOT MAKE
IF 5-axis required AND part ≤ 470x350x510mm → NMV3000 (best automation)
IF 5-axis required AND part ≤ 650x650x550mm → DMU50
IF 4-axis sufficient AND part ≤ 700x500x450mm → Vertical VMC
IF simple prototype → Haas Mini Mill

Complex Geometries:

IF hardened material (>50 HRC) → EDM route
IF sharp internal corners required → Wire EDM
IF through-profile cuts → Wire EDM
IF cavity/pocket in hardened steel → Spark EDM

Material Considerations

Material Type	Notes
Aluminium	All machines, optimize speeds
Stainless (303/304/316)	Consider CITIZEN LFV for chip breaking
Titanium	5-axis mills, reduce speeds, rigid setups
Inconel/Hastelloy	Reduced feeds, consider EDM for features
Hardened steel (>50 HRC)	EDM only for machining, or machine before hardening
Plastics/Delrin	Swiss machines excellent, watch for heat
Brass/Bronze	All machines, free-machining

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Capacity Limits Summary

Capability	Maximum	Machine
Largest turned diameter	Ø270mm	HARDINGE
Longest turned part	Z700mm	NLX2500 Single
Best turning tolerance	±0.003mm	HARDINGE, CITIZEN
Largest milled part	700 x 500 x 450mm	4-axis VMC
Best milling tolerance	±0.010mm	All DMG MORI mills
Smallest precision parts	Ø50mm max	CITIZEN Swiss
Hardened material machining	Via EDM	MITSUBISHI

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Example Queries and Responses

Query: "Can we turn a Ø150mm x 400mm shaft in 316SS to ±0.008mm?" Response: YES - Use DMG MORI NLX2500 Single Spindle

• Diameter OK: Ø150mm < Ø200mm capacity
• Length OK: 400mm < 700mm Z-travel
• Tolerance OK: ±0.008mm achievable (machine capable of ±0.010mm)
• Material: 316SS fine, consider live tooling for any milled features

Query: "Can we make a 5-axis aerospace bracket 500x400x300mm in Ti-6Al-4V?" Response: YES - Use DMG MORI DMU50

• Envelope OK: 500x400x300 fits in 650x650x550mm
• 5-axis capability: Yes
• Material: Titanium requires reduced parameters, rigid fixturing
• Note: NMV3000 too small (470x350x510mm)

Query: "Small precision medical pin Ø3mm x 25mm, ±0.002mm tolerance, 10,000 qty?" Response: MARGINAL - CITIZEN Swiss closest but tolerance challenging

• Size OK: Well within Ø50mm capacity
• Volume: Swiss machines ideal for high volume
• Tolerance: ±0.002mm tighter than ±0.003mm capability
• Recommendation: Discuss with engineering - may need post-process grinding or accept ±0.003mm

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Response Format

When answering capability queries, use this structure:

## Feasibility: [YES / NO / MARGINAL]

**Recommended Machine:** [Machine name]

**Analysis:**
- Envelope: [OK/Issue] - [details]
- Tolerance: [OK/Issue] - [details]
- Material: [OK/Issue] - [details]
- Features: [OK/Issue] - [details]

**Alternatives:** [If applicable]

**Risks/Notes:** [Any concerns or special considerations]

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Quick Reference Card

TURNING:
  Max Ø270mm (Hardinge) | Max Z700mm (NLX2500 Single)
  Best tol: ±0.003mm (Hardinge/Citizen)

MILLING:
  Max 700x500x450mm (4-axis VMC)
  5-axis max: 650x650x750mm (NHX500)
  Best tol: ±0.010mm

SWISS:
  Max Ø50mm | ±0.003mm | High volume

EDM:
  350x350x350mm | ±0.004mm wire | Hardened materials

FAST RESPONSE:
  Prototypes | ±0.050mm | Quick turnaround