This is in line with Qualiturn's policy of updating machines regularly to take advantage of the latest capabilities of modern plant, including higher cutting speeds, faster feed rates and rapid traverses, more tooling stations and new attachments.

The latest SV-32 has been fitted with HPC, as it improves efficiency when machining stainless steels, which now account for about half of throughput at Hertford. The increase in use of this material is partly due to customers wanting to avoid electroplating brass and mild steel components, which has become more expensive since the solvent emissions directive became law in October 2007.

HPC helps to break up the stringy stainless steel swarf, facilitating its removal from the working area of the lathe, so machine stoppage is minimised and production efficiency increased. The chip-breaking action of HPC is also invaluable when gun drilling, as the swarf is more readily extracted from deep, narrow holes, particularly if they are blind.

Coolant delivered at high pressure to the point of cutting also has the effect of cooling the component and cutting tip, which is useful when machining exotic alloys as their toughness tends to result in heat being generated during machining.

Qualiturn offers in excess of 10,000 hours per month capacity to around 250 customers in the aerospace, automotive, surgical and electronics sectors. With around 100 set-ups a week, the company is always keen to increase further the efficiency of just-in-time deliveries, a objective that is helped by initiatives like the automated storage systems.

Other recent investments made with the same aim include CNC inspection machines, an aqueous cleaning machines with ultrasonic capability, and a PSL Datatrack production management system that has made the whole operation virtually paperless.

Rationalisation of space on the shop floor at Hertford has freed up enough space to install two more machines, which would help to reduce lead-times further and increase turnover. Managing director Nick Groom says that he could currently fill three to four extra machines with work, 24/7, partly due to the high level of direct and indirect orders from Europe due to the strong Euro.