Models of excellence

Machined in volume to micron tolerances, the metalcutting capability behind the operation is provided by a recently installed Tornos Sigma 20 CNC automatic sliding headstock lathe, which joins an existing Tornos Deco 20a model, both supplied by Tornos UK.

Making scaled racing components for model cars may not sound like critical part manufacturing, but the uninitiated will be more than surprised of the levels of precision and eye for detail demanded by a hobbyist sector that in the words of company founder and managing director, Darren White, can border on obsession.

“These are not toys,” he states resolutely, “the parts we make are used by many of the world's top drivers and racing enthusiasts where hundredths of a second can make the difference between a winning car and an also ran.”
Titanium of course has many virtues, and its success in F1 and other motorsport disciplines is driving demand in the model car racing sector where its lightweight yet high strength properties are highly desirable.

Himself a racing enthusiast, Mr White started Titanium Racing in 2001 upon noticing a lack of resource for scaled titanium racing parts. In less than a decade the company has grown to fill two adjoining industrial units in Norwich from where it exports components around the world to countries that include the USA, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand.

“A large part of our success can be attributed to the Tornos machines,” he says. “Their repeatability in component manufacture is excellent – if you can make one, you can make thousands. They are also built very sturdily, which is vital when we need to hold tolerances in titanium in the region of 3-4µm.”

Fasteners, spools, drive shafts, axles, constant velocity drives and pinion gears are among the many part ranges offered by Titanium Racing. While materials such as Inconel and 7075 T6 high strength aluminium are used in some instances, the majority of parts are manufactured from Ti6AL4V aerospace grade titanium alloy. Often containing complex features, each part is programmed offline, with the Tornos TB Deco software singled out for special praise.

“The ease of programming is principally why we use Tornos,” Mr White adds. “The software breaks the part down into individual boxes that make everything very clear and straightforward.”

The two Tornos machines at Titanium Racing are served by Tornos's own Robobar SBF-532 feeders that help deliver batches in the realm of 200 to 5,000. Component sizes range from 0.2mm thick shims, up to 450mm in length at the other extreme. “The new Sigma 20 came recommended by Tornos,” he continues. “It's not quite as high specification as the Deco 20a, but is very precise and well suited to the simpler parts in our range. Being able to complete three or four operations in a single set-up provides us with an advantage over the competition as our cycle times can be minimised in all cases.”

During times of economic hardship, Mr White says that people increasingly look to their hobbies as a form of escapism.

Titanium Racing makes parts for 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12 scale model racing cars. There is a governing body and a world championship race series. Similar to F1, each race consists of qualifying laps to determine starting grid order. Racing then commences at speeds of around 80mph (straight line world record is 161 mph) with most races lasting around five minutes. Races are fast and aggressive and the smallest error of judgement can spell disaster.

“Model car racing is probably a $1 billion industry worldwide and we want to get as much of that as we can,” Mr White admits. “Many car manufacturers have moved production to the Far East so it has become difficult for racing enthusiasts to get more advanced racing parts, which is where we come in.”

Forming a smaller, yet no less important part of revenue for Titanium Racing is the F1 sector. From November 2008 through to January 2009, the company supplied around 75,000 products to F1 racing teams.

“There is no reason why we cannot continue to make progress in this sector,” concludes Mr White. “We have the required expertise, quality, flexibility and machining technology to meet the demands of the industry.”
Diversification is something that the company actively encourages. For example, it has just launched a new range of titanium parts aimed at the racing cycle and motorbike sector.

Tornos
www.tornos.com Titanium Racing
www.titaniumracing.com