Hampshire-based die-casting company, MRT Castings, has increased manufacturing space by 50% and opened a new foundry.
A video from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) explains how the organisation helped MRT with the layout of its new facility, automation and technology selection and robotic handling.
MRT, established in 1947, supplies aluminium die-castings and machines components to leading companies across the UK and Europe.
The company approached the MTC to help with the planning of its new 20,000ft2 foundry, designed to accommodate the latest technology and improve productivity while at the same time providing a first-class manufacturing environment.
MTC engineers, working with MRT employees and managers helped plan the layout for the new foundry, creating 3D CAD models of all existing and proposed equipment, laying it out within the architects’ plans for the building, and running workshops for MRT’s team, using virtual reality technology to enable staff to visualise and optimise the layout before the construction was even completed.
Following this successful initial project, the partnership has continued, with MTC engineers moving onto projects with MRT to select and implement robotic loading solutions for their CNC machining centres, and to develop 3D printing approaches for manufacturing bespoke grippers for these automated loading cells.
Based in the MTC’s Sopwith Building, the team works with SMEs to improve productivity and processes. They have access to the MTC’s world-class advanced manufacturing and research facilities, as well as the MTC’s team of engineering and manufacturing experts.
