High-performance CNC routing solutions from AXYZ International are said to be playing a pivotal role in meeting the diverse production requirements of Leeds-based Sound Leisure. Established in 1978, the company is a major manufacturer of jukeboxes and associated audio equipment for the leisure industry as well as producing computerised amusement games primarily for the domestic market. The 80,000 square feet facility includes 55,000 square feet of factory space and houses a workforce in excess of 120, including over 50 highly skilled and specifically focussed workers engaged in the manufacturing programme.

To meet its multi-faceted production requirements, Sound Leisure has set up dedicated woodworking, metalworking, vacuum forming and plastic fabrication, paint spray and electrical wiring departments. These are supplemented with mechanical and cabinet design and electronic design departments supporting the wide range of both static and animated products. Chief Development Engineer at the company, Phil Patterson commented: ‘The fusion of all of these disparate but complementary design and manufacturing disciplines enables us to provide a one-stop-shop facility for our customers and we take pride in the fact that we can make virtually anything for the niche markets in which we specialise.’

Central to the smooth running and reliability of the manufacturing programme at Sound Leisure has been the installation of two high-performance AXYZ 4008 routers featuring the AXYZ ATC (Automatic Tool Change) facility. These are supported by a smaller AXYZ Millennium router with quick-release spindle that is used for the processing of components for the finished products. For the two larger routers used in the main cabinet production, AXYZ Tool Path software has proved a simple and adequate solution, while the Millennium router used for more sophisticated work relies on the multi-faceted ArtCAM software from DELCAM.

A preferred solution for the processing of wood and wood composites, the AXYZ 4008 router has an effective work area of 2,440mm (length) x 1,466mm (width). At Sound Leisure, the optional Automatic Tool Change facility provides an easy and more convenient way of handling jobs requiring multiple tooling functions via an eight-position carousel-style system. There are 16 individual cutting tools available on the system, with tools one to eight accessed automatically with no operator intervention and tools nine to 16 inserted into the spindle manually as required.

Apart from the AXYZ Tool Path interface software that is compatible with DXF, HPGL and G-Code file formats, other key design features of the AXYZ 4008 router include a DNC drip feed interface for processing large 3D files, a machine controller with over 75 operator-programmable functions, extended Z-axis height and multiple spindle options (including quick-release tooling). To further extend the router’s capabilities, multiple gantries can be incorporated. There is also an extruded vacuum chamber with an integral ‘T’ slot clamping system, high-speed and high-torque drive motors and high-tolerance Star brand linear ways and bearings. The processing length of the router can be configured to accommodate different production requirements in increments of 600mm.

On the technical support and after-sales service provided by AXYZ International, Phil Patterson referred to this succinctly as ‘excellent’. When asked to describe how the AXYZ routing technology installed had helped speed up production with a commensurate increase in profitability and future growth expectations at Sound Leisure, Phil concluded: ‘The accuracy and interchangeable nature of the routers and the speed of production, from the drawing board to the finished product, means we can deliver our specialised products within a time frame of hours and days rather than weeks as in the past when we employed jigs and pin routing methods of production.’

The products of Sound Leisure are sold worldwide to the leisure and domestic markets via premier retails outlets like Harrods and Costco. In itself, this testifies to their high quality, a characteristic enhanced by the AXYZ routing solutions installed and likely to be upgraded to meet changes in the company’s production requirements.