Monday 7 July 08 - 06:34
 

CNC Machining

  • £0.33m Double Purchase Is A Measure Of Ambition

    01 Mar 2006

    Following the successful implementation of Bonspiel Engineering's first Star SV32 multi axis CNC, a second has just been installed taking the investment in these two machines in the last six months to £333k. The company specialises in precision CNC sliding head turned components from 0.5 - 32mm in diameter, and has a plant list that now contains more than 20 Star machines. 

  • Sights are Set to Deliver the Highest Standards of Quality and Service

    01 Mar 2006

    2005 was an eventful year at Target Precision says Garry Plummer, managing director. Due to the increased demand from customers, the company invested in the latest Miyano BNJ-42SY and can now machine components to the same high quality standard up to 42mm diameter. Target has also recruited Dean Hayward as manufacturing manager and taken on an additional CNC programmer/setter. 

  • Turnover of Restructured Business is Best Ever

    01 Mar 2006

    Three years ago, Plymouth-based subcontractor Morris Engineering had to make some serious decisions on the direction of its business, having lost 75% of its turnover within the space of a few months owing to a downturn in the microwave communications sector. 

  • Sliding Head Investments Lead the Way Forward

    01 Mar 2006

    West Yorkshire based Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd (YPEL) is exceeding projected targets year on year. Formed in early 2001 with just one Star sliding head lathe, the company has invested in another every year since. Managing director Michael Laybourne believes the only way forward is to invest in the latest equipment and tooling available. 

  • Latest Technology Adds to CNC Capabilities

    01 Mar 2006

    Arcona Engineering has recently installed a Deckel Maho DMU 50 5-axis universal CNC machining centre. The company is also complimenting its CNC turning range with the imminent purchase of a new Hurco TM6. 

  • Rapid Response Service Machines Complex Parts

    01 Mar 2006

    Stevenage based Advanced Coil Slitters Ltd (ACSL), provides a rapid response 'emergency machining service' to the medical aerospace, hydraulics and instrumentation industries. An integral part of the high specification CNC equipment at ACSL is a new Tornos Deco 26a sliding head turning centre. 

  • Machinist Adds Welding Overlay Credentials

    01 Mar 2006

    Last month, precision subcontract machinist, Ardor Engineering added to its ASME IX welding overlay credentials by achieving NORSOK accreditation. The company serves the demanding requirements of today's technologically demanding valve and pump manufacturers. 

  • Machine Ops Reduced With Re-Engineered EDM

    01 Mar 2006

    Since acquiring two Sodick re-engineered EDM machines from Sodi-Tech UK, Barrow-based Strand Engineering North West Ltd has managed to significantly reduce machining operations for complex parts - items that previously required eight or ten operations can now often be completed in only one or two operations. 

  • Prospects are Bright for Small, Complex Batches

    01 Mar 2006

    Manufacture of complex parts costing pounds rather than pence is undoubtedly the future for turned parts subcontractor, Qualiturn Products. The company has streamlined production with the addition of two Star SR-20RII multi-axis mill-turn centres. Its Hertford facility now boasts 15 Star sliding-headstock lathes, all of which are less than eight years old and of top specification in terms of the number of CNC axes, driven tools and traverse speeds. 

  • £650 Machinery Spend Streamlines Production

    01 Mar 2006

    In January, Highbank Precision Engineering LLP, Manchester, took delivery of a new Doosan S550LM CNC lathe with the latest Fanuc 21iTB control. Peter Saunders, one of the partners at Highbank, says that this completes an investment for 2005 of around £650,000 having commissioned in July a 3 + 2 axis Mecof CS50 travelling column machine. These investments are part of the Highbank vision to move toward streamlined CNC production of jigs and fixtures, as well as subcontract parts machining. 

  • Secondary Ops Offer Best Way to Machine a Hexagon in 316 Stainless

    01 Mar 2006

    Until recently Nova Engineering, Coventry, could not machine 316 stainless steel competitively. 

  • Increased CNC Machinery Investment is Matched By Apprentice Training

    01 Mar 2006

    In November 2005, Torkington Engineers Ltd of Manchester took delivery of a CFV-1050i vertical machining centre from Cincinnati Machine Ltd. The company has also recently purchased two new turning centres. The continued spend in machine tools is matched only by the company's investment in its people; 

Corrosion & Wear Resistance

  • Finishing on a Jig Borer Transforms Worn Parts

    01 Mar 2006

    Manser Precision Engineering started in 1983 offering jig boring services to MOD aircraft subcontractors who did not have this facility in-house. Today the company continues to transform new or used parts with Swiss precision combined with modern coating technology. In these cases, low cost CNC work is not always economic on small production runs or unstable construction problems. 

  • Twin-Wire is the Latest in Weld Overlay Cladding

    01 Mar 2006

    Weld overlay cladding (WOC) specialist Arc Energy Resources has announced the first innovation from its recently created R&D department, with the development of a new twin-wire system for its WOC processes, which significantly reduces production time. 

  • New Furnace Increases Capacity for Treatments

    01 Mar 2006

    A new Nitrotec furnace has been installed at the Birmingham site of the TTI Group. With a 1000kg load capacity, the new furnace provides additional capacity for corrosion and wear resistance treatments for steels and cast iron using TTI's Nitrotec process. 

Forming & Presswork

  • Scarce Skills Sourced as Export Order Book Grows

    01 Mar 2006

    Dudley-based Deepdale Engineering Company Ltd, has recently been successful in recruiting several employees with experience in press brake work and qualified welding on heavy plate, typically 50 to 60 mm thick. The company has an increased level of work from its growing overseas order book, which is making up for the demise of many UK based clients. 

  • Expansion Presses On

    01 Mar 2006

    Stroud Metal Co Ltd, Gloucestershire, has completed the latest phase in its planned growth, namely the completion of a new transfer press facility. This brand new factory has been specially designed to optimise manufacturing process efficiencies and to create an environment ideally suited to support the requirements of ISO14001 and TS16949. 

Industry News

  • The Largest Climate Change Experiment Ever Seeks Spare PC Power

    01 Mar 2006

    The world's largest ever climate experiment, developed for the BBC by climate scientists, is using a technique known as distributed computing to use the donated spare computer power on thousands of PCs around the world. 

  • Sustainable Lean Businesses Add Marketing to the Mix

    01 Mar 2006

    Manufacturers need to look up from their production lines and recognise that their ability to sell products and services and raise awareness of why customers should buy from them, rather than their competitors, is as important as their manufacturing skill, says Arthur Richardson, director of the South West MAS. 

  • Uptake of RFID Increases

    01 Mar 2006

    Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is benefiting a wide array of industries across the globe, according to a new briefing paper, RFID comes of age, by the Economist Intelligence Unit. 

  • The Great Energy Debate

    01 Mar 2006

    The next 25 years are crucial in making tough decisions on reducing the impacts of climate change. 

  • Missions & Seminars Overseas Programme

    01 Mar 2006

    Karen Finegold of the Engineering Industries Association has been successful in securing subsidies from UK Trade & Investment in order for UK SME companies to promote themselves at overseas engineering events including the following: 

Specialist Materials

  • Advanced Engineering Ceramic Project Extends Life of Balls and Bearings

    01 Mar 2006

    Tests are currently underway on the results of an advanced ceramic project to develop precision balls and bearings for production equipment used by automotive manufacturers. 

  • Stock and Machining Specialist Fires off Orders for Replica Cannons

    01 Mar 2006

    In January, Leeds Bronze completed a working replica 1813 cannon to be fired during the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations on 17 June 2006. Originally produced as a casting, the replica 4ft long, 2 1/2" bore, cannon was machined from stock tube by the specialist manufacturer of precision bronze bearings and bushes. Further orders for ceremonial cannons are to follow. 

  • Advanced Metallic Manufacturing Methods Are Needed for Speed

    01 Mar 2006

    The area of advanced manufacturing methods for metallic components is changing rapidly with new ideas such as shaped metal deposition, laser deposition, high speed machining and Viper grinding. A forthcoming IMechE event on 10 May will address manufacturing issues and interests common to both motorsports and aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains. 

Stevens Rowsell is a specialist precision sheet metal engineering company in East Sussex