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Contract Services Provide Sheltered Employment
01 Jul 2005
Westcombe Engineering specialises in CNC machining and small assembly processes. Formed 32 years ago by Westcombe Employment Service, a leading contractor of programmes for supporting the employment of people with disabilities, the company has recently been transferred to the Contract Services portfolio of Peterborough Council, from Social Services.
Logistics is the Key to Growth at Expanding Site
01 Jul 2005
A 10,000ft 2extension is currently being built at the Bryken factory, Merseyside. Due for completion at the end of this month, the extension is required to accommodate the increasing number of CNC machine tools, which now stands at 50, and will also provide room for future growth. Bryken's success can be attributed to the ways in which it adds value by 'going the extra mile' to manage the logistics of component supply for its customers.
RP Bureau Mills Short Lead Time Components
01 Jul 2005
Gemini Prototyping is a rapid prototyping (RP) Bureau and shortlead-time manufacturer of components and moulds. Gemini has purchased two 40-taper VM1 vertical machining centres from Hurco, installed in 2003 and 2005. The most recent development is the installation of a direct metal laser sintering machine from EOS, the third in the UK, to make rapid tooling in 20 micron layers from CAD models.
5-Axis Machining Was Needed to Get Ahead
01 Jul 2005
"We had to move into five-axis machining to put clear water between us and the lower-cost competition here in the UK and offshore, " says Mark Kirby, managing director of Coventry based Jetblades Engineering. In mid-June 2003 Jetblades purchased a Mazak Variaxis 630-5X simultaneously controlled, five-axis machining centre. "Within a month of the Variaxis being installed it was flying and we were producing world class components. Now we are able to respond very rapidly to the demand for technically complex components."
Changeover to Cellular Manufacturing Paid Off
01 Jul 2005
When Ray Bennett, managing director of Accura BD, implemented cellular manufacturing, it was a huge change for the company.
Facility Added for 4-Axis Milling Plus Engraving
01 Jul 2005
The addition of 4-axis milling, complete with engraving has attracted new work for Computerised Engineering Co, a supplier of turned and milled precision components based near Bishops Stortford, Herts.
Toolmaker Moves into Medical Components
01 Jul 2005
Leeds-based toolmaker Aire Erosion Ltd. has successfully made the move into the medical instrument sector, manufacturing instruments for hip, knee and spinal procedures as well as components for keyhole surgery.
Long, Large Ceramic Components Needed Competent Controls
01 Jul 2005
Turning long, complex profile components for the ceramics industry previously caused headaches for Scottish precision subcontract machinist, Dunblane Light Engineering. The two-operation process required separately turned parts to be screwed together. The purchase of a long-bed, Hankook Protec 7NB two-axis horizontal lathe has transformed the process into a one-hit sequence and cut cycles times by around 50%.
'matrix' Quality Standard Helps Team Development
01 Jul 2005
Newcastle based, ADP Precision Engineering has become one of the first engineering companies in the country to achieve the matrix Standard, which is a nationally recognised quality mark for all organisations that provide information, advice and guidance to their people.
New Driven Lathe Produces Speedier Motor Sport Parts
01 Jul 2005
Acorn Precision Components Ltd, Middlesex, has recently invested in a Mori Seiki NL1500 lathe with driven tooling. Acorn specialises in the motorsport industry, supplying engine parts to companies in F1, World Rally Cars and Moto GP.
Mill-Turning Centres Take Components' Costs Down
01 Jul 2005
Two Traub mill-turning centres from Geo Kingsbury have been installed at the Totnes works of subcontractor, Vire Engineering, for round-the-clock machining of components from bar in a single visit to the machine. Work is regularly carried out for the defence and security industries, but a majority of production is high quality hose and pipe fittings for brake, fuel, oil and coolant assemblies used in motorsport, from Clubman up to Formula One.
