CNC apprentice plays key role in ventilator production

Jacob Benton, who is studying towards his HNC Level 4 with In-Comm Training, is working around the clock with the manufacturing team at Cannock-based Key Precision to produce up to nine different components for use in the assembly of ventilators being built for the frontline.

The 20-year-old engineer has programmed three different CNC machines to create five oxygen supply line parts, completing the complex task in just a few hours of receiving the order so the company can meet urgent timelines.

Mr Benton, who has set his sights on gaining his BEng degree and a future career in production management, explained: “Each part starts with us receiving drawings and then, from there, I write a CNC programme to produce the specified component. In order for us meet the deadlines expected and to give us the different tolerances required, I had to use three different CNC machines.”

He continued: “There’s a real team ethic and this has been evident during this project, with a dedicated cell set-up for production and many of us working over 60 to 70 hours over the week and during the Easter holidays.”

Key Precision is a specialist manufacturer of precision turned parts, inserts for plastic and sheet metal fasteners, supplying high profile customers such as Aston Martin, Bentley, JCB and Rolls-Royce.

The company, which employs 25 people at its base on Phoenix Road, has worked with In-Comm Training for more than 20 years, accessing upskilling courses and forklift training for its workforce.

Mr Benton is the firm’s third apprentice, starting as a Level 2 machinist in 2017 before following the CNC pathway to achieve his Level 3 last year and now embarking on his HNC that will eventually lead to a degree.

Greg Jackson, engineering and quality director, added: “In-Comm Training has given him a fantastic grounding in engineering and the ability to continue to learn with our support. He really has been instrumental in the ventilator project.”

In-Comm Training has delivered in excess of 40 different apprenticeships to 800 apprentices over the last 12 months. All of these have been written in partnership with world class industrial partners to ensure the technical content is right for their current and future requirements.

In-Comm

www.in-comm.co.uk

Key Precision www.keyprecision.com