CNC turning is a method of machining cylindrical and rotationally symmetrical components that removes material from the workpiece as it turns against a fixed cutting tool. It’s ideal for the production of parts where stability, accuracy and repeatability must be maintained over significant loads and dimensions.
In 2024, we enhanced our vertical turning capacity with the installation of a Mazak Megaturn vertical lathe, significantly increasing our ability to machine large-diameter, high-mass workpieces. We now run two vertical lathes handling components up to Ø1600 mm and 3 tonnes, providing capability for large mould tools, precision housings, and complex engineered structures.
CNC turning is suitable for applications such as:
- Large-diameter mould tooling components
- Heavy precision housings and casings
- Structural rings and flanges
- High-mass industrial components requiring tight concentricity
- Large-format rotary machine elements
CNC milling is a machining process that uses multi-axis cutting tools to remove material from a stationary workpiece. It’s capable of machining precision components with flat, intricate, or asymmetrical geometries. At larger scales, CNC milling enables the accurate machining of oversized plates, blocks and complex components that require both structural integrity and tight dimensional control.
Our milling capability is supported by advanced CNC machining centres offering 3000mm x 800mm with 5-axis machining facility, and 2500mm x 1500mm with standard milling.
CNC milling is suitable for applications such as:
- Large tooling plates and mould bases
- Structural components and engineered frames
- Complex multi-face machined assemblies
- Precision blocks for industrial equipment
- Large-format components requiring multi-axis machining
To complement our machining capability, our surface grinding department delivers precision finishing for large-format components where flatness, parallelism and surface integrity are critical. We can grind components up to 2000 mm × 1000 mm, ensuring tight dimensional control across mating faces, baseplates and mould tooling surfaces.
This level of finishing capability is essential where machined surfaces alone are not sufficient to achieve the required performance, particularly in high-precision tooling and sealing applications where even minor deviation can affect function and longevity.
CNC grinding is suitable for applications such as:
- Precision mould tool shut-off faces
- Large baseplates and tooling plates
- High-integrity sealing surfaces
- Mating faces requiring extreme flatness
- Components requiring post-machining accuracy refinement
At large scale, precision is what determines performance, reliability and service life. Maintaining tight tolerances across heavy, complex components demands both capability and control at every stage of manufacture. Burnsall Engineering’s investment in large-format machining ensures that we can deliver this consistency with confidence, even on the most demanding engineering projects.
Our large-format machining supports the production of engineered components to tight tolerances for sectors where mechanical reliability and dimensional stability are critical, including:
- Oil & gas
- Aerospace
- Medical
- Mining
- Space
By combining large-scale CNC turning, milling and precision grinding under one roof, we provide a fully integrated manufacturing solution for complex, tight-tolerance components. This means greater consistency across all stages of production, from rough machining through to final finishing, with full control over quality and dimensional accuracy.
It also allows us to reduce handling, improve traceability between processes and ensure critical features remain aligned throughout manufacture. This is particularly important for large assemblies where small deviations can multiply across scale.
Burnsall Engineering’s integrated large-scale capabilities enable us to deliver:
- Precision-matched mating surfaces
- Accurate shut-offs and tooling faces
- High-precision plates for mould tools, fixtures, and assemblies
- Consistent tolerances across large-scale components
Why choose Burnsall?
- 70 years of toolmaking experience
- Fully insured and BS EN ISO 9001 accredited
- In-house team of expert designers and engineers
- State-of-the art modelling and programming applications
- Established relationships with approved contractors
- High quality and competitive lead times
- Awarded the only preferred supply status to a facility in Europe by DuPont Performance Elastomers
