Improvements all round The 2018 release of Autodesk’s PowerMill CAM software is available now. PES takes a look at a wealth of new functionality.
Winging the changes Achieving engineering perfection: how the manufacturing of aircraft wings has evolved by Anand Parameswaran, senior vice president – aerospace and defence, Cyient; and Ian Thompson, head of aerospace and defence, EMEA, Cyient
Tunnelling ahead with mill-turn control The world's longest and deepest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, opened in June 2016. The 57km (35 mile), twin-bore, high-speed link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe aims to replace one million lorry journeys by road per year.
High flying surface finish inspection Ejection seat specialist Martin-Baker works in one of the most demanding sectors of the aerospace industry with rigorous certification standards. When the company needed to invest in a new shopfloor surface finish inspection system it turned to Mitutoyo for an ideal solution. PES reports.
Keeping one step ahead with in-house machining As a global leader in banking and retail support services Camberley, Surrey-based Cennox Plc is at the forefront in the battle against card skimming at cashpoints.
Single source solutions In 2016 Pilatus Aircraft installed new manufacturing systems for machining structural parts made of aluminium.
Abrasives key to high Cpk honing High productivity with high process capability (Cpk) sometimes seems elusive in production honing, but the problem can often be traced to inconsistent abrasives, according to Julian Hooper managing director of Sunnen UK.
Gauging plastic perfection Bowers Group has supplied Sentinel Plastics with a Trimos V4 700 height gauge to maintain high levels of inspection accuracy for CNC machined plastic components.
Sales success from across the Pond The ability to respond to a major surge in automotive die and mould contracts, mostly from North America for Mollart Engineering, has been enhanced with the full integration of specialist multi-axis deep hole drilling software able to increase application and programming capability for multiple side approach, compound angle and specific interconnecting hole and feature targeting.
Taking efficiency to the next level Usually, when talking about increases in efficiency or production, businesses have the production line itself in mind, with higher feed rates, more manpower or even additional production lines considered.
JUNE COVER STORY: Material gains The aerospace industry and the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) are leading the way in controlling residual stress and resulting distortion. PES reports.
Banking on a future in sheetmetal Former investment banker Troy Barratt believes passionately in promoting manufacturing in the developed world – so much so that he gave up his career in Wall Street and the City of London to buy a subcontract sheetmetal fabricating business in Sittingbourne, Kent. PES discovers how the purchase of a Bystronic fibre laser has helped the company’s recent success.
Model machine for a model company Letchworth, Hertfordshire-based Ogle Models & Prototypes has a long history of producing special projects in small batches. The company recently purchased a Fanuc Robodrill compact machining centre, resulting in faster and improved quality production. PES finds out more.
Adding cells for medical part production Sheffield-based Tecomet, formerly Symmetry Medical, has installed three Hermle trunnion-type 5-axis machining centres for manufacturing stainless steel medical components.
New machine unveiled at the AMRC Starrag UK has enhanced the number of machines it has in-situ on the Advanced Manufacturing Park with the addition of a 7-axis Bumotec s191 linear CNC turn-mill centre, installed at the AMRC with Boeing Centre.
A big choice for oil and gas Sheffield-based Ian Cocker Engineering has a lengthy history employing Hurco machine tools for its precision components. Now the company has invested in its first 5-axis VMC from the Hurco stable. PES reports.
Moving forwards with 5-axis 5-axis machining is transforming the way a Cambridgeshire engineering subcontractor works.
Pressing productivity Kings Lynn-based Dale Sheetmetal provides a wide range of precision sheetmetal services mainly to the food service and catering sectors, but also to a growing variety of diverse industries. As PES discovers, investment in servo-electric press brake technology from Prima Power has improved work flow and eliminated bottlenecks.
A perfect solution for grinding productivity As Horsham-based Precision Edge enters its 30th year in business with home and export sales growing for the company, the requirement to improve productivity within its grinding section was becoming essential.
Cleaning regimes off to a flying start Effective cleaning systems are integral to meet the high standards set by the aerospace industry. Bespoke regimes created by companies such as MecWash give manufacturers peace of mind in this expanding UK industry.
Innovative flexible workholding Based in its 5,000ft² manufacturing facility in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, Micron Precision Engineering has earned a reputation for supplying its customers with high-quality components at a cost-effective price and in a timely fashion.
First steps into CNC Warwick-based James Camden Engineering needed to develop high-precision, complex parts for a client in the aerospace sector. By adopting Fanuc’s CNC vertical machining technology, the company has been able to reach new standards of quality and intricacy.
Take a new turn The sliding head turning market has to be one of the most closely contested sectors within the metalcutting industry. One of the leading players riding on the crest of a wave at the moment is Star GB, which since August 2016 has been operating from its brand new 20,000ft² facility in Derby. Dave Tudor caught up with its managing director, Steve Totty.
Moving forward with reverse engineering At the height of the financial crisis Darren Pierce found himself facing redundancy from his role as a tooling project manager in the food and drink sector.
