Engineering Capacity September 2022 digital edition

FOR MANUFACTURERS ABOUT SUBCONTRACTORS

September 2022

MACHINED COMPONENTS | AUTOMOTIVE | SHOW PREVIEW

www.engineeringcapacity.com

What is _rotary friction welding?

Subcontract friction welding _bi-metallic materials

Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a solid-state bonding process which works by rotating one workpiece relative to another whilst under compressive axial force. The friction between the contact surfaces produces heat causing the interface material to plasticize. A forge force is then applied and the compressive force displaces the plasticised material from the interface, extruding any pre-existing surface contaminants and creating an upset of material and a fully homogenous molecular bond across the entire mating interface of the two parent materials.

Titanium (Grade 2) Aluminium (6063)

Subcon Process Advantages • 100% parent material joints • Full bonding across the entire contact area • Solid state process retaining parent material properties • Fine grain structure: no porosity and minimal hardening • Superior joint strength • Very low risk for safety critical joints • The only direct method of joining for cu-al and other bi-metallics • Machine stored parameters offer 100% repeatability & reliability • Automated joining process with 100% in-process monitoring • Comprehensive quality assurance • Fast weld times • Economical per unit cost • Flexibility to weld wide range of similar & dissimilar materials T: +44 (0)121 585 0888 E: frictionwelding.UK@kuka.com www.kuka.com/en-gb

Aluminium (6063) Copper (C103) Aluminium (1050A) Mild Steel (EN8) Stainless steel (316)

’s subcontract friction welding capabilities cover many material combinations including similar and dissimilar material welding, and geometry options including: Bar to bar; tube to bar; bar to plate; tube to plate & tube to tube, for example.

Commonly friction welded components include safety critical components such as axles, drive, beam & half-shafts, drill rods & pipes consisting of nitriding and structural steels, piston rods constructed from chromed rods and forgings as well as hydraulic cylinders and end caps, plus, stainless steel to mild steel pump shafts plus many more.

Dissimilar bi-metallics such as copper-aluminium cable lugs and connectors as-well as stainless steel to aluminium, stainless steel to copper and double joints including, stainless Steel to aluminium to titanium for high pressure and cryogenic applications.

HM Queen Elizabeth II 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022

We join the nation in mourning the death of our dear Queen. God save the King.

FOR BUYERS OF CONTRACT MANUFACTURING SERVICES Visit our online edition for breaking news, jobs, events, features and searchable directory. www.engineeringcapacity.com Editor: Andy Sandford editor@engineeringcapacity.com Commercial Director: Arfan Qureshi sales@engineeringcapacity.com Tel: 0207 241 4627 Graphic Design: Dave Blake blakey@djbdesign.co.uk Printer: Holbrooks Printers Limited Norway Road, Portsmouth PO3 5HX Engineering Capacity is published six times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November SUBSCRIPTIONS Engineering Capacity is available free of charge to UK buyers and suppliers of subcontract manufacturing services.

For non-qualifying readers, annual subscription rates are as follows for 6 issues posted to addresses in: UK £60.00; Europe £80; Rest of the World £100 You can request your copy and sign up to our free weekly email newsletter on our website or contact us via subscriptions@engineeringcapacity.com www.engineeringcapacity.com Tel: 01737 270 648 Published by: Engineering Capacity Ltd Abbey House, 25 Clarendon Road Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1QZ United Kingdom Registered in England company no. 10567217 ISSN 0306-0179 COMING UP IN OUR NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE Forming & Fabrication, Aerospace & Defence, Machined Components, Composites, Turned Parts, Measurement, Inspection & Testing Services, Sustainability

Editor’s View It’s strange how the death of the Queen came as such a shock. She always had been there and you felt she always would be. She had already been Queen for five years when I was born 65 years ago – in a world of steam trains, coal fires and telegrams. There were no computers, no email, no internet. Most people had no TV, few had a car or a telephone.

With today’s instant communications – social media, multi-channel TV, mobile phones, WhatsApp – we all very quickly became part of the news when the Royal Family was called to Balmoral.

Throughout her reign she was a constant and reassuring presence and our lives will be different now that she has gone.

But the page turns, and we move into a new era with a new King and a new Prime Minister.

We have a tough winter ahead of us and, for those of us in manufacturing, energy prices, material shortages, inflation and supply chain issues will continue to press down on us.

We must hope that the new Government will have the insight to provide us with the tools we need to cope with these headwinds.

For the King, the challenge of living up to his mother’s legacy will be daunting. We wish him the best and hope he has a long and happy reign.

Andy Sandford, Editor

Please send editorial for consideration to editor@engineeringcapacity.com There is no charge or cost involved with having your editorial included in the magazine or on our website

Member of the Engineering Industries Association

SEPTEMBER 2022

www.engineeringcapacity.com

5

Contents September 2022

13 AUTOMOTIVE

News

Features

08 Pipework fabrication MBO 06 £2.4m funding for Pruce Newman

13 Automotive 06 Electric MOKE maker deal 17 Laser Processing 06 More capabilities and capacity

08 Trac Precision acquisition 06 Nasmyth Group investor is now owner 09 CNC fabrication investment 06 Drilling and sawing system for ECS

19 Machined Components 06 Robots give 500% boost

19 MACHINED COMPONENTS

30 Electronics 06 New connection for MAN

12 First female chair of Metals Council 06 Rachel Eade takes the reins

33 Advanced Engineering Preview

29 MOULDINGS www.engineeringcapacity.com

24 Cast Metals Federation 27 Mouldings 06 Moulding gears up for EVs

10 CBE+ divisions come together 06 Five services under one roof

6

Big plans for Wealdpark

39 BTMA Directory SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS Teepee Electrical, which manufactures complex cable harnesses and wiring looms, has opened a second manufacturing site in the Black Country.

The company, which has secured over £500,000 of additional contracts since the turn of the year, has invested more than £200,000 in taking on and fitting out the additional 7500 sq ft unit in Aldridge.

Located just six miles from its existing unit in Bloxwich, the new facility will house machinery recently purchased from a company that went into receivership and the installation of automated cable, strip and cutting machines, ink jet printing and technical crimp presses.

Fresh investment has also been channelled into installing a 30metre+ cable cut and assembly bench with matching A-frames, ideal for complex wiring and vehicle harness sets.

Steve Clarke, Managing Director, commented: “We work across automotive, blue light and rail and we’ve seen an increase in orders across all three sectors necessitating the need for more space and more staff.

“Our existing facility in Bloxwich had scope for increased capacity, but in order to optimise efficiency, reduce product changeovers and to cope with the variances the new market opportunities are offering us, investing in the second site in Aldridge was key.”

He went on to add: “After a comprehensive search, we came across a unit that was undergoing SEPTEMBER 2022

Harnessing new opportunities

refurbishment. The layout was perfect and gave us plenty of space to create dedicated cells for specific projects and we’ve now also got the bonus of being able to tap into a new labour pool for employees.

“Our ERP management system will link both factories together and our world class quality standards will ensure all wiring harnesses are delivered on time and to the highest specification.

“We’ve even bought a new electric car to help transport people between the two factories and, importantly, support our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

Teepee Electrical is looking to take turnover to £5m in 2022, as more customers tap into its

ability to supply low, medium and high volumes.

The company has also started supplying volume cable assemblies to a second tier UK automotive supplier with plans in place to be involved in new vehicle platforms by Spring 2023.

This growth, coupled with opportunities in electric vehicle markets, places the business at the forefront of supply for infrastructure, equipment and vehicles.

Steve concluded: “In the last month alone, we have increased our workforce by 8%, with further recruitment set to take place for both sites in the coming months. Our team are driven to keep investing and harnessing the future!”

8 teepeeelectrical.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

7

INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity A £2.4m funding facility has helped pipework fabrication specialist Pruce Newman hand over ownership to a new generation of directors in a management buyout.

The funding package from Independent Growth Finance (IGF) has helped facilitate succession plans, which see long time majority owners Alan Pruce and Graham Newman pass on ownership to operations directors Darren Razzell and Jamie Key, who have both been with Pruce Newman since 1999.

The funding will also support working capital and the growth plans of the new owners.

Established in Essex over 50 years ago, Pruce Newman has grown to become a leading fabrication company in the South and East of England. It employs over 150 people across Norfolk and Essex, providing highspecification pipework to a wide range of long-standing customers.

Current managing director

Crewe-based Trac Precision Machining has been acquired by private investor Rcapital from Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC, part of Sequa Corporation.

Trac is a key supplier of precision engineered parts to the aerospace, defence and power generation sectors, with major customers including Rolls Royce, Siemens, GE and Safran.

Rcapital is an experienced investor in the engineering

8

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Pipework fabrication MBO

Alan Pruce has been with the business since 1987, and will remain in his role post-buyout to guide the transition. New majority owners Darren Razzell and Jamie Key have worked across all levels of the business, with over 40 years combined

tenure. This will ensure that Pruce Newman’s values will persist into the future, developing and fostering a close-knit team, building trust with clients, and prioritising exceptional safety and quality.

8 prucenewman.co.uk

Trac Precision acquisition sector, having invested in specialist engineering business, Nasmyth Group, earlier this year and has a successful track record of over 75 acquisitions and exits from its portfolio.

Lewis Burnham, investment manager at Rcapital said: “Trac Precision Machining is a profitable business and a significant employer in the region with an enviable blue-chip client

base. It is extremely well placed to benefit from the recovery in global air passenger numbers and the need for energy and aerospace operators to reduce emissions and improve efficiencies across their platforms. This presents exciting growth opportunities for Trac to utilise their engineering expertise.”

8 rcapital.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS

machinery will play a huge role in that. The Vanguard CNC drilling and sawing line will help us speed up our processes, increase our throughput and ultimately elevate our market position. This investment means that the large-scale projects and framework contracts we support across industry can benefit from our increased capacity and capability."

8 ecsengineeringservices.com

– Brass – eel St

n iu

s–

mi

Alloys per Su

Stainles s

part of ECS' fabrication service.

The company can provide full electromechanical design, manufacture, project management and on-site installation services, delivering a turnkey approach.

Mark Watkins, Managing Director at ECS, welcomed the investment in new machinery: "We are moving towards having smarter workshops and our investment in software and

lu

SEPTEMBER 2022

CNC fabrication investment

–A

ECS Engineering Services has enhanced its in-house fabrications department with the addition of a new Ficep Vanguard CNC drilling and sawing system.

The machine will increase productivity and capacity while shortening lead times for customer projects.

As a supplier of fabrications to the water, nuclear and construction sectors – ECS Engineering Services operates an in-house workshop accredited to CE mark EXC 4 under BS EN 1090. Often supporting large infrastructure projects, ECS has continually invested in its machining capabilities to grow the service, allowing the business to accommodate larger structures. As it moves to futureproof the department, ECS is adding new machines that feature higher levels of automation and robotics - condensing multiple processes into one unit.

The Vanguard offers a threespindle, direct drive drilling and sawing line for drilling, scribing, tapping, countersinking and milling of rolled steel sections. Its software directly connects to digital information from ECS' own detailing offices output, or client supplied information, and eliminates the need for interpreting drawings on the shopfloor, expediting the fabrication process.

The new machine will complement the existing large capacity cranage, state-of-the-art equipment and experienced engineers already available as

m – P la s

t trac con ts b u S par ned r u t m in mill 65m m o t fro up eter m m a i d 0m d 30 rk. n a bar illet wo b

ti c

www.engineeringcapacity.com

9

INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity

CBE+ divisions come together Multi-process subcontract manufacturing specialist CBE+ has completed the relocation of its five divisions together under one roof in a 70,000 sq ft stateof-the-art manufacturing facility in Chesterfield.

The company has operated from two separate sites since 2017 when owners Marie Cooper and Chris Brown acquired the five businesses which make up the company today.

CBE+ ENP - formerly Nitec UK - is the final company division to move its operations to the CBE+ headquarters, in a move that technical director Chris Brown says will allow for complete integration of the customer supply chain.

Five plating lines have now been installed on-site, along with blasting and heat treatment capabilities. A major part of the investment included the installation of a combined heat and power system (CHP) which captures the heat generated as a by-product of the electrical

Visit our website or contact us for a quote or advice

10

www.engineeringcapacity.com

power generation and is used to provide heat energy for the surface treatment processes carried out in areas of the factory.

The CHP installation, along with a number of other energysaving initiatives and the benefits of operating from a single location, has enabled CBE+ to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 50%. In addition, a new effluent plant has been installed, which filters and neutralises all waste chemistry generated on site allowing environmentally safe disposal and recycling.

Chris Brown said: “The group provides ENP, precision engineering, wire EDM, industrial gears, and testing services independently, but our real strength lies in our ability to combine multiple services, integrating the customer supply chain.

“The goal has always been to have all our services under one roof, creating a single cohesive team, and making it easier for our customers to access multiple services. Relocating our ENP division is the final piece in the jigsaw that will allow us to deliver capabilities beyond engineering from a single location, providing our customers with streamlined, stress-free supply chains. And the addition of the new combined heat and power and effluent systems is an exciting step on our journey to becoming a greener business, by significantly reducing the amount of waste and energy used on site.”

8 cbeplus.com SEPTEMBER 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS | Engineering Capacity

Manufacturing focus in Glasgow The Scottish Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will be opened by the Scottish Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee. The event will take place at the SEC Glasgow on Thursday 13 October. It will serve as a national forum for manufacturers and operators across the full manufacturing spectrum in Scotland, including the food and drink, energy, renewables, electronics, aerospace, biopharma, medtech, healthcare, construction, textiles, procurement, and precision engineering sectors.

Engineering Capacity is a media partner.

8 manufacturingexpo scotland.com

First female chair of Metals Council Rachel Eade MBE will become the first woman to take the Chair of the UK Metals Council.

The organisation, which initially began life 20 years ago as the Metals Forum and today represents more than 11,100 companies and supports more than £200bn of UK GDP. The supply chain expert replaces Chris McDonald, the Chief Executive of the Materials Processing Institute, and will look to build on his outstanding work in developing UKMC as truly representative of the sector and a valued partner of Government.

Using her 20+years’ experience in the automotive, aerospace and rail industries, she will look to support companies to

LMS

Precision Engineering

High quality cost effective CNC subcontracting.

Produced on state of the art machines EN 9100:2018 ISO 9001: 2015 Approved Telephone: 01905 779783 Email: sales@lmsprecision.co.uk www.lmsprecision.co.uk

High Quality Subcontract Machining 12

www.engineeringcapacity.com

overcome unprecedented economic challenges and energy price rises that could see some bills quadruple overnight.

Rachel’s focus will also be on maximising the innovation in the sector and how it can develop technologies and skills that support the move towards Net Zero by 2050.

“This is a very exciting challenge and gives me the chance to work with influential trade associations, member companies and academia to shape how we navigate the issues whilst making the most of the opportunities,” explained Rachel, who is also currently Supply Chain Lead at Birmingham City University.

“There is no getting away from the difficulties we are facing, but I’ve spent most of my career helping industries diversify through major shocks, such as the MG Rover closure, the impacts of the Japanese tsunami and Covid-19.”

8 ukmetalscouncil.org SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | AUTOMOTIVE Specialist Tier 1 manufacturer Fablink Is to be acquired by EV Technology Group, a specialist in electric vehicles, which also recently acquired MOKE International.

The acquisition is said to be strategically important for the rapidly growing and listed EV Technology Group giving it access to Fablink’s in-house manufacturing and engineering expertise. Fablink supplies the automotive, transport and offhighway sectors, with leading global OEMs in its customer base.

Fablink Group also encompasses Streamline Automotive, a new division that provides specialist low and medium volume electric vehicle manufacturers with turnkey clean build vehicle assembly capabilities. It is already the manufacturing partner of MOKE International, a company that recently agreed to join EV Technology Group’s house of brands, and recently launched the Electric MOKE. Richard Westley, CEO, and founder of Fablink Group will remain in his current position in the new structure and will also join the EV Technology Group board as Chief Operating Officer upon completion of the Acquisition. Fablink will also retain its current leadership team, facilities and all of its 750+ strong workforce.

Mr Westley said: “There’s no doubt that EV Technology Group’s acquisition of Fablink is a fantastic fit. This acquisition not only presents a superb blend of SEPTEMBER 2022

Electric MOKE maker deal

resources and capabilities, aligned to underpin EV Technology Group’s growth plans but also gives Fablink Group a platform for future investment in our people, facilities & technology. The acquisition will allow us to accelerate the delivery of our strategies in support of our existing global OEM customers, as we continue on our mission of achieving operational excellence across our manufacturing sites and also provide a platform to further develop the business as we look to support EV Technology Group’s own brands. This is a tremendously exciting step for Fablink and we are looking forward to an even brighter future as part of a larger group.”

Wouter Witvoet, CEO of EV Technology Group said: “This acquisition is of huge strategic importance to the EV Technology Group. Having access to Fablink’s 750 world-class electric vehicle manufacturing and engineering experts in-house makes us more competitive, efficient, and agile for Fablink’s existing customers and our own future projects. On a personal note, I am also looking forward to working closely with Fablink’s founder and CEO Richard Westley who has built a remarkable world-leading business and will also be joining me at EV Technology Group to help steer the future success and growth of the entire group.”

8 fablink.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

13

AUTOMOTIVE | Engineering Capacity

Automotive apprentice contract In-Comm Training has won one of its largest apprenticeship contracts after signing a major deal with Lander Tubular Products.

In-Comm Training, which operates three state-of-the-art technical academies across the Black Country and Shropshire, has become the strategic training partner for the supplier of precision engineered metallic and plastic manipulated pipe assemblies for the automotive, commercial vehicle and offhighway sectors.

Forty Level 2 apprentices in Lean Manufacturing Operations will be recruited over the next six months in a bid to develop a future talent pool that can help the manufacturer meet a rapidly growing order book.

The new relationship will cover all recruitment and selection, advice on tapping into funding, induction process and delivery of training, with In-Comm trainers and assessors set to be permanently based at Lander Tubular Products’ internal academy at its Woodgate Business Park factory in Birmingham.

“This is a major milestone for our business, and we’re delighted that another high-profile industrial specialist has chosen to adopt our employer-led approach to apprenticeships and training in general,” explained Paul Hodgetts, Business Development Manager at In-Comm Training.

“The tender process was over a 14

www.engineeringcapacity.com

three-month period, involved six providers and numerous visits to each other’s locations. We were able to listen, understand exactly what the firm needed and then put together a flexible learning package that obviously appealed to the management team here.”

He continued: “Everything kicks off in September with a cohort of 15, then this is followed a month later with 10 more apprentices and the final 15 need to be in place by December. So, the message for young people and mature learners looking for a career change is simple – there’s the potential for high quality jobs with a world class automotive supplier, get in touch!”

With over 140 year’s history, Lander Tubular Products is a leading manufacturer of precision engineered metallic and plastic manipulated tubular

8 Paul Hodgetts (In-Comm Training) with Anita Davenport-Brooks (Lander Tubular Products)

products for the automotive, offhighway, and industrial sectors.

The company, which has three manufacturing sites in the UK and a further two production facilities in the USA, has a long history of delivering awardwinning apprenticeship programmes.

Its product range covers multiple applications for the transfer of fluids or air, and tubular structural products for a broad range of major OEM and tier one customers.

Growing its own staff has always been a priority and this new contract marks the next phase of its workforce development, with pathways being created so that individuals SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | AUTOMOTIVE can work all the way towards Technical Apprenticeships, a Degree in Engineering and Manufacturing and upskilling opportunities in continuous improvement, quality and leadership & management.

Anita Davenport-Brooks, Group HR Manager, added her support: “We’ve known about InComm for some time and were really impressed with the way they took the time to listen and tailor the approach to suit exactly what we need.

“The course will give every apprentice core manufacturing skills, as well as developing softer ones and encouraging the right behaviours to fit our culture. All the training will be completed at

WH

our factory, which will give us great flexibility when balancing shopfloor demand.

“I’m also keen to look at how we can work together to shape new Apprenticeship qualifications that are currently missing in industry.

One example, is early discussions about creating a Level 3 Technical Operator course that could be the next step for our apprentices.”

She concluded: “Vocational learning is so important for us and, next year, the plan is to recruit up to 100 apprentices. Working with In-Comm Training will save over £200,000 on recruitment costs alone in 2022 and that does not take into account the bottom line benefits our learners will deliver to our three

businesses across the Midlands.

“Several of our senior team and middle managers all started with an apprenticeship and are now critical to our future success.”

Lander Tubular Products, which was recently named as the number one company in the Top 50 SME Apprentice Employers Rankings by the National Apprenticeship Service, will also tap into other services offered by In-Comm Training.

This includes upskilling courses, health and safety consultancy and lobbying, with Anita already taking her place on the training provider’s new Skills Steering Group.

8 in-comm.co.uk/ lander.co.uk

William Hughes Group

Bespoke Springs & Wire Forms

Secondary processes DQG ȴQLVKLQJ

William Hughes makes everything possible We’ve been making springs and bending wire for over 200 years. Compression, tension and torsion springs - wire bending, forming and assembly - if something can be made out of wire, we’re just the people to make it.

ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ

ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ

In-house design Rapid prototyping Short & long runs State-of-the-art production facilities

ȏ ȏ ȏ ȏ

1DGFDS DFFUHGLWDWLRQ 8. DQG %XOJDULDQ IDFWRULHV %HVSRNH ODEHOOLQJ SDFNDJLQJ $OO DXWRPDWHG GHOLYHU\ V\VWHPV

:HOGLQJ 3DLQWLQJ 3ODVWLF FRDWLQJ 7KUHDGLQJ 3RLQWLQJ 1LEELQJ &OLS DSSOLFDWLRQ (OHFWURSKRUHWLF 3DLQW /LQH 'HOWDp 7RQH )LQLVKLQJ 'HOWDp 6HDO ΖQMHFWLRQ 2YHUPRXOGLQJ

To discuss all things wire, Call now on 01963 363 377

WILLIAM HUGHES Ltd Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2RZ. t: 01963 363377 f: 01963 363640 e: sales@wmhughes.co.uk w: www.wmhughes.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

www.engineeringcapacity.com

15

AUTOMOTIVE | Engineering Capacity William King Ltd, which specialises in high-tensile steel, aluminium, light gauge processing, electrical steels and niche metal coatings has received the Jaguar Land Rover JLRQ Award.

Andrew McClure, Global Supplier Technical Assistance Director at the car maker, made the presentation in recognition of the company’s outstanding performance over the past year where it has achieved world class ‘right first time’ and ‘on-time infull’ delivery scores.

It marks the culmination of a

16

www.engineeringcapacity.com

JLR quality award £12m investment drive by the firm over the last 5 years that has seen it introduce a new press blanking line, slitting facility and a state-of-the-art stacker, helping it take on new work and to create and safeguard more than 50 jobs.

“We have been working towards the JLRQ standard for some time, overcoming the additional challenges of Covid-19 to demonstrate consistent quality, cost and on-time delivery,” explained MD Rachel Graville.

“This has been a real team effort. It’s a fantastic achievement by my colleagues.”

She went on to add: “Quality has always been central to the way we operate, so a lot of the building blocks we needed for the Award were already there, we just had to focus a little more on standardising processes, implementing a clearer continuous improvement strategy, and bolstering training for all staff.”

8 williamking.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | LASER PROCESSING Grenville Engineering has invested over £900,000 in the latest laser cutting, bending and punching technology to increase its capabilities and capacity.

One of the key investments was a 10kW Bystronic Bysprint 3015 3000 by 15000 bed fibre laser installed in September 2021. This complemented existing 6kw and 3kW Trumpf fibre laser machines.

Sales Director Stuart Rawlinson explained: “Grenville wanted to invest in the latest technology and this new machine is much quicker than the previous machine. We can produce more parts per minute, get them to our customers more quickly, and increase our capacity.

Another benefit of the new machine is that the more powerful laser can cut thicker material and can also cut thicker material using nitrogen. This eliminates the need for a second operation to remove the oxide layer prior to powder coating.

Stuart added: “It has also taken us into different market sectors by cutting thicker stainless steels.”

Grenville also invested in a new Bystronic Xpert 200t, 3m bed press brake.

Stuart explained: “All our other press brakes are Bystronic models, so we kept with the same manufacturer. All our operators are fully trained on this brand of machine so there was no learning curve or need for extra training.

We have been very impressed with the machines we currently have and they do everything we need.

The new machine increases the SEPTEMBER 2022

More capabilities and capacity

maximum tonnage available from 150t up to 200t and also has an increased open height for producing deeper boxed parts and also has a full length of integrated fold/flatten mechanism for producing safety edges.

The final investment was in a used Trumpf TruPunch 3000 S11 CNC punch press.

Stuart said: “Our other machine was ageing and having some issues. We decided to buy another but explore the used market again for this machine.

“It was purchased from Severn Machines Ltd. They do a complete refurb of the machine prior to installing it. Again, this was something we had done previously that had worked really well.

“This machine is quicker and has a lot more features, which allows us to use much more

8 Grenville Engineering directors Dali Dong, Stuart Rawlinson and Grant Barratt with the new 10kw fibre laser

tooling available to the machine.”

Summing up how Grenville has enhanced the capacity and capabilities that it can offer its customers Stuart concluded: “Grenville has spent over £900k to increase our capacity and make sure we stay competitive at a time when resource costs are rising. These new machines enable us to offer a much wider variation of parts to customers whilst reducing lead times and increasing our capacity.

“We have had a very strong year and continue to grow, so we need these investments to enable us to keep pace with new and existing customers.”

8 grenville-engineering.co.uk www.engineeringcapacity.com

17

LASER PROCESSING | Engineering Capacity KMT has launched a laser cutting service for ferrous and nonferrous metals which will reduce waiting times for customers.

“As a leading manufacturer of bespoke machinery for OEMs, we are always looking to improve our fabrications service. A recent machine investment means we now provide dedicated, high speed laser cutting for our customers. With our facilities and capabilities, we offer much shorter lead times than traditional fabricators. Introducing this new equipment has also dramatically increased our operating capacity, meaning we can subcontract work on the behalf of our customers,” said Ian Matthews, General Manager at KMT. The LVD type Phoenix FL-3015 6 kW fibre laser cutting machine operated by KMT supports both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including copper and brass. It is paired with a LVD Compact-

High speed laser cutting

Tower 3015 material storage and retrieval tower with six shelves, each with a capacity of 3000 kg.

Sheets of up to 3000mm x 1500mm can be accommodated, with an advanced cutting head handling up to 30mm thick aluminium as well as 25mm thick stainless and mild steel. Sheets of different thicknesses can be processed without manual intervention, further expediting lead times. For lighter gauge

From design, sampling and technical support to manufacture, Simpson Springs & Pressings Ltd provide the complete service.

Tel: 0118 978 6573 Email: sales@simpsonsprings.co.uk

18

www.engineeringcapacity.com

materials, cutting can be conducted ‘on the fly’.

KMT has considerable experience in delivering complex fabrications with a workshop capacity, ideal for supporting landmark engineering projects. It has worked with OEMs in the rail, industrial and automotive industry, delivering large quantities of metal work on tight deadlines to a highquality standard. Expert fabricators with decades of experience offer bespoke welding, cutting, press braking, assembly and testing under one roof. The standalone laser cutting service is available by contacting KMT directly.

“Our customers choose us because we deliver quality, bespoke engineering quickly, and our new laser cutting service is no different,” added Mark Brickhill, CEO at KMT. “Our central UK location, large fabrication capacity and experience with OEMs means we can support any project nationwide with tailored solutions, whether for laser cutting or complete, electromechanical machinery.”

8 www.kmt.tools SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS Robotic component loading and unloading has given Hemlock Engineering a fivefold increase in production output on its latest 5-axis machining centre compared to manually loaded machines.

The new Brother 5-axis, 30taper Speedio M200X3 verticalspindle machining centre achieved this on relatively small batches of components between 1,000- and 2,000-off requiring short cutting cycles of between two and 10 minutes, a combination that necessitates frequent changeover of the production cell.

Hemlock's owner Paul Cobb had exact figures to hand when interviewed. He said, "Typically, one of our 40-taper VMCs runs for 40 hours per week. However, a lot of the time the relatively slow spindle is not cutting – I estimate we get on average 45% utilisation. With the robotic Feedio load / unload system serving the latest Brother, we achieve 100 hours operation per week, sometimes more, and the uptime of the faster 30-taper spindle is 88%.

"On this basis, overall production output is about five times that of one of our 40-taper machines. Additionally, the latter capacity needs the full-time attendance of an operator whereas the Brother cell occupies an operator for only about 20% of the person's time.

So there is a five-fold reduction in the labour cost content of components produced."

He explained that the plug-andSEPTEMBER 2022

Robots give 500% boost

play Speedio / Feedio cell costs about £800 per week to run including finance, labour and power, which he said, "is not very much". It arrived on the shop floor in March 2022 and, as already observed, produces similar output to five 40-taper machines with full-time operators. That is why Mr Cobb describes the benefits of his first ever automated prismatic component production cell as "absolutely astronomical" and "off the charts".

What makes automation feasible for small batches of

relatively uncomplicated components requiring short cycle times is rapid cell changeover within two hours, including swapping the cutting program and tools. This is largely down to Brother's easy-to-use ChipLite conversational software that controls the handling robot and camera vision system.

Mr Cobb said that changing over a conventional robot-loaded machining centre and reprogramming it would take days rather than hours.

8 hemlock.co.uk

Aerospace Oil & Gas Nuclear Defence

Automotive Electronics Hi Fi

Industrial & High Volume Machining

PRECISION ENGINEERING www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk Tel: 01484 548903

www.engineeringcapacity.com

19

MACHINED COMPONENTS | Engineering Capacity

Supporting export demand APT Leicester is helping K-Tech cope with demand from the American market.

With more than 25 years of experience in the creation of world-leading motorcycle suspension kits, K-Tech has continued to outsource the production of mill-turned parts to APT Leicester. This support has proven vital as K-Tech has experienced a surge in demand from the American market in recent years.

The manufacturing partnership has gone from strength to strength, with APT having manufactured over 440,000 perfect components for K-Tech’s motorcycle suspension kits and systems to date. K-Tech has continued to build on its reputation for the creation of world-leading motorcycle suspensions, with levels of demand rising and remaining high in the wake of the pandemic.

The support of APT has proven vital, with the forecasting and supply of reasonably priced high-performance components in line with K-tech’s requirements. Orders have been grouped in batches for ease of production and delivery.

Manufacturing parts with high levels of tolerance and accuracy, APT has impressed with its honest and personal service.

Oliver Hurst, Procurement Manager at K-Tech Suspension, said: “APT provides the whole 20

www.engineeringcapacity.com

package and their aerospace standard makes our job easier!

Service and quality was not as good with other suppliers, but we couldn’t ask any more from APT. They have coped with the increased demand, providing a very personal service and quality parts.”

APT ensures the manufacture of all ordered parts in compliance with the AS9100 standard. From surface-finished end eye rod joiners, adjuster housings, spring guides, compression adjuster needles, rebound check valve collars, piston rods and flow control adjusters, each component is made with the same commitment to customer satisfaction.

K-Tech places each shock on a dyno testing, ensuring quality

and performance for international racing competitors and the wider public. It has also turned to APT for support in the delivery of one-off parts for special builds featured across the range of race suspension kits.

“Our ability to forecast and secure material has allowed us to keep building parts for K-Tech.

Committed to the highest standards, we look set to maintain our established relationship with K-Tech and are looking forward to new challenges together” explained Nick Baller, Managing Director of APT Leicester.

The partnership looks set to continue as K-tech keeps to its mission of developing world-leading suspensions.

8 aptleicester.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS A specialist subcontractor has invested in four new Mitsubishi EDM machines in the last four years, with the latest arriving in May. Located next to Silverstone racetrack, EDM Precision Technologies Ltd has a strong position in the F1 and motorsport industries.

The company works with over five F1 Teams and has received more than 150 F1 orders in the last 12 months. Some components for the suspension, gearboxes, wind tunnel and test components are ideally suited to being produced with EDM techniques.

It is not just motor sport though, since its inception, it has also machined precision components for other sectors including aerospace, defence, medical, press and mould tools too.

To carve a niche in the highly competitive subcontracting market, the Northamptonshire business has specialised in EDM technology to set it apart from its rivals.

Now approaching 30 years in business, EDM Precision has a range of turning and machining centres, but with EDM drilling, spark erosion and 10 Mitsubishi wire EDM machines – it is evident where the focus of the company lies.

The company now has a Mitsubishi FX10K, QA10, FA20, FA20-S, two FA10-S, MV1200R, MV1200S, an MV1200S II plus an MV2400R, demonstrating its faith in the productivity, technology, reliability, service SEPTEMBER 2022

Racing ahead with EDM and support Mitsubishi products.

Company Director at EDM Precision, Paul Waldron said: “We started as a small general subcontract and toolmaking machine shop in 1992 and we quickly noticed our EDM work becoming more prominent. In 1994, we changed the company name to EDM Precision Technologies Ltd and bought our first Mitsubishi wire EDM machine, a CX20. Over the years we’ve had numerous CX20 machines. Our philosophy has been to replace old machines with new technology, so we’ve probably had over 30 Mitsubishi

d

ite

d re cc

ow

EDM machines over the last 30 years.”

The latest machine installed was a Mitsubishi MV1200S that arrived in May. Paul Waldron added: “This wasn’t a swap-out machine, we went from 9 to 10 wire EDMs with the MV1200S. We recently won a contract for producing parts for the power generation industry and the customer started to ramp up production, so we needed extra capacity. With an EDM cycle time of 4 hours per part and 60 parts required each month, we acquired the MV1200S.” 8 edmprecision.com

to

D

A

N

FM10101

Manufacturers of High Quality Mill-Turned Parts

www.engineeringcapacity.com

21

MACHINED COMPONENTS | Engineering Capacity Re-shoring and exports have boosted business at Wealdpark to the extent that it now plans to treble the size of its factory.

The first phase of expansion at the Merseyside subcontractor is due to begin immediately and will add an extension a little larger than Wealdpark’s current 6,000 sq ft facility.

By the end of 2023, another 5,000 sq ft unit is scheduled for completion on an adjacent plot that was purchased recently.

Mainly a precision turned parts subcontractor, the family owned and run firm operates two vertical machining centres and 15 sliding-head lathes on the shop floor, alongside six Miyano fixedhead turning centres from Citizen Machinery UK. The latest to arrive, in April 2022, was a Miyano ABX-64SYY, bringing to four the number of these 65 mm diameter bar capacity machines purchased since 2014. In use also are 51 mm and 42 mm capacity models. All have twin spindles and twin 12station, Y-axis turrets with driven tooling for efficient, one-hit production. Despite the machines being bar fed, 40 percent of the time they are employed for turning billet in 6inch and even 8-inch chucks, enabling the production of much larger diameter parts with an operator in attendance.

Together with father Jim and brother Steve, Phil Smith is a director and joint owner of Wealdpark. He said, "We have increased turnover by a quarter in the two years since the start of 22

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Big plans for Wealdpark

the pandemic and sales during each of the first five months of 2022 were at a record level compared with previous years.

"Production of parts for the hydraulic, pneumatic and yellow goods industries is particularly strong at the moment. We are also active in the aerospace, automotive, electrical fastener, firefighting, military and temperature measurement sectors.

"Manufacture of parts for ventilators has been an established part of our business for many years and it of course continued through 2020 and 2021. We have been able to turn this into a growth area by supplying similar components to Europe and North America.

"Admittedly part of the rising sales figures is down to an increase in material costs but the underlying growth is undeniable, due in part I believe to the trend towards re-shoring.

"It has given us the confidence to invest in new infrastructure and capacity to develop our business and part of that strategy will be the continuing purchase of top quality plant like Miyano lathes, which we have used since 2007."

Having just one make of fixed head lathes in the shop floor provides the flexibility to be able to swap tools and programs easily across the shop floor.

In fact it was other members of the British Turned Parts Manufacturers Association (BTMA) that recommended the Miyano brand in the early days when the subcontractor was transitioning from a cam auto shop with 53 machines to a fully CNC-equipped company. The process started in 2001 and was complete within a decade.

Despite their large size the fixed-head lathes are fast enough to take work from the sliding head lathes when they are particularly busy.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | MACHINED COMPONENTS One component machined from 20 mm hexagonal bar, for example, takes 28 seconds to produce on a sliding-head lathe with gang tooling and only 32 seconds using a 65 mm capacity Miyano with turret tooling.

Generally, Wealdpark operates a 37-hour week and sets up all lathes at the end of the day for a considerable amount of unattended machining of freecutting materials overnight and into the weekend. However, the

recent increase in workload has necessitated occasional three-shift attendance and 24/7 operation.

Reliable autonomous operation of the Miyanos is ensured by comprehensive load monitoring of both spindles and of the three linear axes of both turrets, as well as of the live rotary tools. The parameters of each channel can be set separately according to the job to ensure safe operation combined with

minimal disruption to production.

In preparation for the impending expansion, at the start of 2022 Wealdpark took on three extra staff, an experienced setteroperator and two apprentices who in September this year will start a four-year NVQ level 2 diploma course on day release to St Helens College. Further new appointments will follow to increase the company's headcount over the next couple of years.

8 wealdpark.co.uk

Wealdpark Limited Stand number 5126

Subcontract Capacity #.# MILL TURN FACILITIES USING SLIDING AND FIXED HEAD LATHES WITH BAR CAPACITY UP TO MM DIAMETER -IYANO FIXED HEAD LATHES WITH BAR CAPACITY UP TO MM DIAMETER (URCO VERTICAL MACHING CENTRE 03, $ATATRACK MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

BS EN ISO 9001:2008. Approved by BSI since 1991.

Company Contact Details Phil Smith, Director, Wealdpark Limited Sutton Road, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA9 3DJ Tel. 01744 22567 / 732083 Fax. 01744 451339 E: sales@wealdpark.co.uk www.wealdpark.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

www.engineeringcapacity.com

23

CAST METALS FEDERATION | Engineering Capacity Several UK foundries offering a wide range of products and processes have recently joined the Cast Metals Federation as the organisation continues to grow.

Chamberlin & Hill Castings Ltd was the latest foundry to join the Cast Metals Federation. Part of Chamberlin PLC, Chamberlin & Hill is the group’s light castings division and is located at Walsall, where the company has been making grey iron castings for over 130 years. The company specialises in producing iron castings up to approximately 25kg, often with complex shapes and fine tolerances requiring highly skilled manufacturing methods, supplied into an increasingly diverse range of markets, such as the automotive and hydraulics industries as well as offering design and rapid prototyping to casting users and sodium hydride cleaning and laser etching of castings for the industry.

Darren Pritchard, Divisional Commercial Manager for the Chamberlin PLC foundries said, “We are looking forward to being able to actively engage with the CMF and other members from the UK industry at this important time for UK manufacturing. We intend to take full advantage of the services offered by the CMF to help us grow our business and ensure we can remain globally competitive.”

Haworth Castings, which supplies aluminium and copperbased sand and gravity die castings to customers from a 24

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Cast Metals Federation continue to grow

wide range of sectors, joined the Federation in the Spring. The company is part of the Expromet Technologies Group, which incorporates Investacast (an investment casting foundry which was already a member of CMF) and CNC machining company, Metaltech Precision.

Lachlan Buirds, MD of the company said “We are pleased to be joining the CMF and engaging with other members in the sector through the meetings and information that is provided by the CMF Team. We are committed to providing an

excellent customer service by working in partnership with our clients and intend to take full advantage of the services offered by the CMF to help us grow and optimise our business.”

The Cast Metals Federation also welcomed Norfran into membership, which is a supplier of high-pressure aluminium and zinc die castings to international customers from a wide range of industries and sectors. Suppling the automotive sector, parts for white goods, domestic appliances, office furniture and accessories and components for industrial engineering and the electrical and electronic industries the company is certified to ISO 9001 and 14001, and with an integrated Quality Environmental Management SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | CAST METALS FEDERATION System, the company can offer fully machined or raw castings, with die design and process optimisation through casting simulation as well as project management. “Joining the CMF is an important step for us as we seek to engage with the Federation and our fellow members as part of our vison to continuously improve our operational efficiencies and optimise the performance of the business” noted Mark Smith, General Manager.

Investment foundry Sylatech Ltd joined CMF earlier this year.

Producing thin walled, precision parts with a superior surface finish for the aerospace, defence and satellite communications

sectors, and offering CNC machining capability, Sylatech utilises rapid manufacturing technologies to offer prototype parts with approval to the AS9100 quality standard.

Charlie Breese, Sylatech’s Managing Director said: “We fully intend to benefit from the services and networking opportunities available from the CMF, as well as taking advantage of the range of expertise available from Sharing in Growth’s highly experienced coaches, on topics such as leadership, strategy, culture, lean manufacturing and business development.”

In welcoming the influx of new foundry members, Pam Murrell, CMF CEO said, “As a sector it is

import that we work collectively to showcase and support the UK casting and foundry industry as a vital part of the wider UK manufacturing sector. The industry is a key part of the circular economy for metals as it is foundries who take the scrap metal (that arises from other sectors and from parts at end of life) and turn it into new highly engineered components in metal for a wide range of sectors, from automotive to energy generation, from construction to rail transport – all sectors that will be important for the transition to net zero. We are always delighted to welcome new foundries into membership.”

8 castmetalsfederation.com

( ) * * * +(, - +* ) .. + ( * .+ * * + .+ +( . +* , * +*, * .. + + .+ * / * 0 * + * *, * 1 * 1 + 1 ) .

2 + +* * +*"

%

& '

! ! " "#$ " "#$ SEPTEMBER 2022

3 4 5 6768 6768

www.engineeringcapacity.com

25

ICME | Engineering Capacity Students can get to grips with the technical side of cast iron metallurgy on a dedicated Institute of Cast Metal Engineering (ICME) course.

Registration for the 2023 course is open now.

ICME’s Certificate Course in Cast Iron Production, Metallurgy and Quality Control saw a successful launch in spring this year, as the learners (who are all from ferrous foundries) started to get the low-down on all things technical with cast iron. The first session saw the learners complete a foundry tour, as well as get a close look at the casting process, safely melting metal and a deeper dive into the chemistry of metal alloys.

Amy Worrallo, Quality Manager for ICME, said: “This course has been developed in response to a clear need from industry for a practical programme, focused on the metallurgy and production of the suite of cast irons,” she explains.

“It includes modules on melting and shop floor quality controls, raw material selection, metal treatments as well as testing and quality assurance. With a mix of classroom delivery, practical aspects and project work completed in company, this is a great new offering from ICME and clearly fits with our aims, as the professional body for the UK industry, to support the professional development of our members.”

Michael Cramphorn, Foundry Director for Thomas Dudley Foundry explained why this 26

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Cast iron facts

course is vital to the success and support of the industry. “Finding talent is getting increasingly difficult particularly in the field of metallurgy, where technological changes have transformed process control in recent years.

The introduction of the Foundry Metallurgy programme will enable some of our existing melt plant team to extend their current knowledge base and to network with similar people from different backgrounds.”

This course is a joint venture from ICME and the Cast Metals Federation, with the aim of increasing, knowledge, growth and progression within the industry. Dr Pam Murrell FICME, CEO of the Cast Metals Federation, highlighted the importance of this course to the industry, saying, “We have supported the development of this new course, in conjunction

with ICME and many of our industry Members, as we recognised the need for a programme that is specific to cast iron metallurgy. It is vital that we have courses that support the future development of our industry. We are also particularly grateful to the Foundry Training Trust who have offered substantial funding to anyone from the UK enrolling for the course, helping to make it more affordable for the industry.”

The new Cast Iron Metallurgy course is designed with progression in mind as ICME is not just about educating those new to the industry, but also about strengthening the talent within the industry.

Registrations for the next cohort, to start in Jan 23, are now being taken, so to find out more about the course please contact 8 info@icme.org.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | MOULDINGS As the reshoring of technical moulding of components gains momentum, West Yorkshire moulder forteq UK has increased its production capacity by investing in two Sumitomo Demag high-precision IntElect 100 ton machines.

The company, formerly known as Mikron, is part of the forteq Swiss-owned global technology group.

The extensive product portfolio comprises precision automotive components, utility meters (gas, water, electrical and thermal management), as well as precision automotive gears and transmission systems. The highly automated UK facility has recently secured a number of new blue-chip contracts to supply electric vehicle (EV) components.

Serving predominantly Tier 1 automotive customers, supplying electric vehicle components is now one of the company’s key strategic business lines. This complements expertise in air suspension, actuator gears, engine timing systems and fuel filtration systems. Refreshing its portfolio of machines with the addition of two IntElect 100 ton machines underpins forteq UK’s strategic aim of optimising processing efficiency and supporting domestic manufacturing in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Overall investments by firm in recent years are valued at close to £2 million.

Managing Director of forteq UK Paul Wallis said: “forteq UK is striving to realign its business in line with group strategy to SEPTEMBER 2022

Moulding gears up for EVs ensure we maintain and grow our automotive business content during the market transition to hybrid and full electric vehicles.

We are investing in equipment and processes which support this, while at the same time improving our sustainability and environmental impact yet further. In the domestic market we aim to support re-shoring programs, also offering capacity in larger machines which enables more local supply of bigger components. Our other niche products comprise 2k components, precise gears and over-moulded parts, all linked to high precision products.”

Demonstrating the company’s technical prowess, one of the new Sumitomo (SHE) Demag machines has been allocated specifically to manufacture 400,000 complex sets of gas meter precision components per annum.

The new contract, which commenced officially in Q4 2021, involves producing three very technical components on four cavity mould tools. When assembled, the components form

a complex mechatronic valve featuring tight flatness and roundness characteristics, along with a threaded seal carrier, clips and living hinge to minimise parts list and cost.

Processing high performance polymers, machine exactitude forms a critical part of this application’s success, notes business development manager Steve Roberts. He explained: “Each element alone is complex with demanding flatness tolerances of +/- 50 microns where nearby features can cause distortion. This level of dimensional accuracy requires the most exact injection moulding precision to achieve the required quality and repeatability.”

The IntElect’s direct drive technology is designed purely for injection moulding. This means it delivers the accelerated injection speeds needed for accurate dosing and injection performance, prerequisites for tight tolerance applications like this gas meter valve.

8 forteq-precision-plastics.com www.engineeringcapacity.com

27

MOULDINGS | Engineering Capacity It has been a good year for Paignton-based CSS Group (Casting Support Systems) with a Queen’s Award and a brand-new, purpose-built, 60,000 sq ft factory.

The CSS Group offers a full bespoke engineering and complete manufacturing service from conceptual product analysis and design through to finished product, including in-house services for toolmaking, injection-moulding, tote box manufacture and technical composite manufacture.

CSS Group company Investment Casting Systems Ltd was the recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its export achievements. This was achieved following three exceptional years of export growth in the design and manufacture of mould and associated tooling for the composites industry, with the aerospace sector in the USA accounting for much of that increase in business.

Between 2018 and 2021 exports rose from £267,000 to £1.7 million, this increase along with plans to double Group turnover within the next five years, prompted the relocation to the new facility, which is over the road from the old factory that had simply become too small for the business to move forward in.

Group Chairman and company founder Ted Head said: “This prestigious award and our need to relocate is testament to the efforts of everyone involved at the company, not just over the 28

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Good year for CSS

past few years but throughout our 40 year history.”

The relocation will see each of the three group company’s sharing the available space with the toolmaking side of the business being the stand-out area for development. With recent investment in new machining technology the move involved relocating six machining centres from XYZ Machine Tools. It was estimated by CSS Managing Director James Head that it would take three days per machine to complete the move.

However, a concerted effort from XYZ’s machine movers and service engineers saw all six machines back in production, including laser calibration to within 6 micron/metre, within seven days.

8 James (left) and Ted Head are delighted that the efforts of all of the employees have resulted in the Queen’s Award

“It was an incredible effort by everyone concerned and as a result of the prompt and efficient service, what we are now calling XYZ Alley was back machining parts in very quick time,” he said.

The future is extremely positive for CSS Group, with the forward order book for its toolmaking division looking strong, with further growth predicted from the aerospace, power generation and other industry sectors. The move to the new factory and office facility will allow for that growth to continue uninterrupted for many years to come.

8 castingsupportsystems.com SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | MOULDINGS EMKA produces 900 moulds a year for plastic injection moulding and aluminium die casting – making it one of the top three mould makers in Europe.

The company says that this particularly relevant to UK companies because of the many advantages to having a European tool maker now that re-shoring is a viable economic choice.

These local advantages include the requirements of development, servicing, adjustment, changing to accommodate new features, changing of injected material, repair in service and any correction that may be required.

EMKA not only builds tooling for its own production but also supplies leading industrial companies such as Hella, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and Fischer Sports (ski).

Seventy-five experienced Industrial components manufacturer, Essentra Components, is now consistently achieving a 50/50 balance of virgin and post-consumer recycled plastics within its Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) product range.

The achievement means almost all LDPE products leaving Essentra’s facility at Kidlington in Oxford will consist of 50% recycled content.

The company says this milestone represents a crucial step in making industrial

SEPTEMBER 2022

Metal and plastic mould makers

engineers at EMKA are engaged in development, design and CNC programming of high-quality tooling for testing on its own machines under full production conditions. Their output includes moulds for plastic injection moulding, zinc and aluminium die-casting, multi-component moulds (2K), moulds for internal

gas pressure processes and moulds for IML foils. Complex moulds for insert injection moulding are handled, as well as zinc die casting moulds - hot runner technology is catered for, as is punch deburring.

The EMKA mould program includes pre-series moulds for all materials and family tools for small quantities all supported with a guaranteed service life.

EMKA UK sales engineers provide an experienced on-site link to UK manufacturing in order to manage the information flow and ensure correct progress from concept, through samples to sign off and full-scale production which may also be at the EMKA facility.

8 emka.com

50% recycling target achieved plastics more environmentally sustainable by reducing the amount of virgin resin needed to produce products. By hitting the milestone, Essentra Components has demonstrated the viability of recycled plastics within high performance component parts.

As part of its drive to reduce carbon emissions, Essentra Components has also experimented with higher percentages, and as the sourcing of recyclate continues to improve, will introduce them into its

production lines in due course.

Richard Sederman, Strategy and M&A Director said the milestone demonstrates a clear proof of concept for sustainable manufacturing: “Reaching a 50/50 ratio is an incredible achievement not only for our team but for the wider plastics industry.

“We’ve demonstrated that the reliance on virgin plastics as a primary component is now an outdated concept.”

8 essentracomponents.com

www.engineeringcapacity.com

29

ELECTRONICS | Engineering Capacity

New connection for MAN Contract electronics manufacturer Nemco has become the latest company to join the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN).

The Stevenage-based company posted an £11m turnover figure in the last financial year and believes its involvement in the unique collective of subcontract manufacturers and an engineering design agency will play a crucial role in helping it reach a £30m turnover by 2026.

MAN, which employs more than 1750 people across 13 different factories, offers engineering disciplines including aluminium casting, automation and control systems, forging, high-volume pressings, plastic injection moulding, precision machining, tube manipulation and welded assemblies.

The group sees Nemco joining the group as a great boost, with the printed circuit board assembly experts having a diverse client base touching many different sectors, including aerospace, defence, industrial and medical.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of MAN, for the simple reason that the group boasts like-minded businesses who are progressive, ambitious and looking to grow,” explained David Duric, Sales & Marketing Director at Nemco.

“There is no competition within the group, so there is a great culture of transparency and best practice sharing that can only be good for our business.

30

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Importantly, we also offer new solutions that complement the core capabilities of other members in the Manufacturing Assembly Network.

“It has been a tough time in the manufacturing sector due to the global pandemic and its aftereffects. We effectively lost a year somewhere and although there was a slight dip in the order book during the initial pandemic, we remained strong and diversified to weather the storm."

He continued: “Thankfully we recovered because we acted quickly. We planned ahead and we kept on investing in new machinery and strengthening our purchasing department to offset the rising costs of raw materials. This combined approach has seen us emerge in a position of strength.”

Nemco, which was formed in 1985 by Dave Pearce and currently employs 122 people at its 60,000 sq ft Wedgwood Way facility, has identified

significant opportunities in the renewable energy and EV sectors and is planning to make significant inroads in the months and years ahead.

It has also recruited two dedicated business development managers for the first time, who will spearhead a strengthened sales team, tasked with focusing on new opportunities and working with MAN to explore joint opportunities.

David added: “We are equally adept at providing full turnkey solutions - including printed circuit board assembly - or assisting our clients with their own processes.

“In some cases, they work up their designs and pass on to us to create. We make high volumes of PCBs, working in low to midvolume in a number of different sectors including the medical and EV industries.”

8 nemco.co.uk man-group.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | ELECTRONICS Supply Technologies has secured a significant contract with Anord Mardix company, to support its manufacturing operations worldwide.

It will supply a vast range of different components used in the manufacturing process at Anord Mardix facilities located in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the United States.

Anord Mardix is a leading manufacturing and engineering company in critical power solutions. The company is now part of multinational electronics manufacturer Flex, which employs around 160,000 people worldwide. As a result, Anord Mardix says it has unparalleled scalability and reliability with huge growth expected over the next few years within the industry, across territories old and new.

Anord Mardix has already been delivered an extensive portfolio of commercial and industrial projects.

The agreement will see Supply Technologies install a Total Supply Management system throughout Anord Mardix’s operations.

Through the partnership, Supply Technologies will undertake the supply of more than 1000 components and hardware lines. Stock will be held at Supply Technologies branches close to Anord Mardix’s facilities and supplied via best-in-class Kanban stations/VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory).

Supply Technologies will monitor component usage and stock levels to ensure that sufficient materials are always SEPTEMBER 2022

Global supply agreement available to manufacturing teams.

This approach will create a more effective stock control system and drive efficiencies, which is key to Anord Mardix’s production strategies.

Gary Russell, Director, Business Development at Supply Technologies, said: “In the current climate, a seamless and

integrated supply chain operation is more important than ever and through our robust procurement and just in time delivery capabilities, we can ensure that our demand-driven systems enable Anord Mardix to fulfil its project objectives across its global operations.”

8 supplytechnologies.co.uk

5DLVLQJ WKH SURƩOH RI engineering, composites DQG VFLHQWLƩF FRPSDQLHV

PR | Marketing | 6RFLDO 0HGLD | Copywriting | Events Awards | Design | 0HGLD 5HODWLRQV | Web & SEO

01752 894786 www.aroprandmarketing.co.uk

www.engineeringcapacity.com

31

ELECTRONICS | Engineering Capacity Convert, the UK’s leading manufacturer of cable looms and harnesses increased turnover by 20% in the past year, bouncing back from the pandemic, and is expecting to increase by 20% again over the current year.

The company has restructured to take account of this growth, and to plan for the future. It has recruited experienced engineers to deliver this growth, particularly in quality and engineering areas.

Quality Control is particularly important to the company, not only to ensure quality product continues to leave the facility to customers but also to ensure that the right work is being commissioned.

For example the Convert team recently reviewed a project for a prototype and discovered that the drawings would not deliver the right result. Convert added value by checking, manufacturing and testing the piece before final production, and then worked with the customer to achieve the right result.

The company has also invested in new machinery to deliver a particularly complex assembly for a printing company.

Convert aims to provide a supportive culture to allow staff to grow and develop. For example, Myles joined Convert in an apprenticeship role just before the pandemic hit, but despite this setback, time spent in production and engineering has given him a sound understanding of assembly methods and production techniques.

32

www.engineeringcapacity.com

Wired for growth

8 Dave Lord, Convert, H&S

Time spent within the engineering section helped broaden his knowledge and understanding of the technical aspects of cable harness assembly and good practice required to meet the high standards the company sets for its customers to ensure the reliability and high quality of the products it manufactures.

Myles has since been involved in the manufacture of prototype harness for some prestige automotive projects and been part

of the Engineering team that has introduced several new projects into the manufacturing cells.

Armed with the understanding and experience acquired during this time, and with the knowledge gained from the completion of his supervision training course Myles will now move into a Manufacturing Cell Supervision role, and continue his personal development as well as aiding the continual improvement of our manufacturing activities.

Last year Convert designed and manufactured assemblies for many industries. These included headlights for three leading luxury car manufacturer, one of which involved 3d printing tools to deliver 100 sets of harnesses per week.

Dave Lord, Convert’s founder and Managing Director, said: “It’s been an eventful year and I am really pleased that we have managed to grow and invest despite the stop-start economy.

Our new management structure and renewed focus on our culture, which is driving a nurturing environment for our staff to grow and develop in, is a solid foundation to continue building the company to ever greater heights.”

Convert can produce all harness types, from multi-branch looms, interconnect harnesses and wire and cable sets, as well as more bespoke assemblies.

8 convertltd.co.uk.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | ADVANCED ENGINEERING

Register now for Advanced Engineering Tickets are now available for Advanced Engineering, the UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals. Now in its thirteenth year, the show is expected to attract thousands of attendees from all engineering disciplines and markets to the NEC, Birmingham on November 2 and 3, 2022. You can secure your tickets for this year’s event, which is set to be the biggest and best yet, on the Advanced Engineering website www.advancedengineeringuk.com

This year, Advanced Engineering UK introduces a new show zone dedicated to product testing and quality control. The new zone will span across Advanced Engineering and Lab Innovations, which will once again be co-located, giving visitors and exhibitors access to an even wider range of professionals, products and solutions. After a welcoming reception in 2021, the space and satellite zone will return, uniting the likes of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence and

the Satellite Applications Catapult, who will showcase a range of satellites on their pavilion.

The show will bring together many different areas of engineering — aerospace, marine, automotive, defense, advanced metals, connected manufacturing and more. There will be four forums — automotive, composites, aerospace and connected manufacturing, which will each house two days of innovative and ground-breaking talks from industry experts.

Sustainability and innovation

Advanced Engineering Stand J94 Lab Innovations Stand J10

SEPTEMBER 2022

www.engineeringcapacity.com

33

ADVANCED ENGINEERING | Engineering Capacity will be the focus across all forums, with talks on the circular economy, net zero, levelling up and the supply chain.

At the automotive forum, visitors can meet experts from Siemens, Britishvolt, the Aluminium Federation, the University of Strathclyde, IDTechEx, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Xi Engineering, who will cover topics ranging from electrification to the digitalisation of vehicle development.

The talks follow recent research conducted by Advanced Engineering, in partnership with YouGov, into the UK’s target of ending sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2030. For the UK to be fully electric by 2030, it depends on a high level of technological innovation across the automotive sector. Exhibitors and visitors alike can learn more about the future of EVs and the road to net zero at the automotive forum at Advanced Engineering UK, which

is hosting various sessions surrounding these topics.

The survey, completed by over 2,000 members of GB adults (18+), reveals that we may be further from the electric vehicle revolution than first thought, with just over half of respondents (54%) saying that they are unlikely to own an EV by the time the switch comes around.

At the composites forum, visitors can learn more about what digitalisation means for

Quality products for over 100 years Righton Blackburns Stand N112 is an independent metals and specialist plastics stockholder and distributor.

It has been a trusted supply partner for premium quality products for over 100 years.

Operating a reliable and efficient delivery service from 10 Service Centres nationwide, it offers a wide range of inhouse processing facilities as well as next day delivery from locally-held stock.

Advanced, precision engineering creates accurate, specialist parts for a diverse range of applications. Machining centres must work with a variety of different materials whilst maintaining the same quality, integrity, precision and accuracy of the part created.

Righton Blackburns supplies an extensive range of metals suitable for advanced precision engineering, including:

34

www.engineeringcapacity.com

• Aluminium • Stainless Steel • 17-4 & 15-5 • Copper • Brass • Aluminium Bronze • Phosphor & Leaded Bronze • Nickel Alloys • Titanium • Copper Nickels • Hardiall • Special Steels Available in round bar, hexagon, flat bar, tube, sheet and pipe & fittings, our products are used for precision engineering, repetition engineering, tooling, auto-turning, bar feeding and precision & machined components.

In addition to metals, the company supplies an extensive range of engineering plastics with enhanced mechanical and/or thermal properties that in certain applications can offer many benefits over metal including weight reduction, good wear properties, superior corrosion and chemical resistance, ease of processing, electrical and thermal insulation and cost saving.

Righton Blackburns Powder Metals supplies a broad spectrum

of high-quality steel and nickelbased alloy powders, with bespoke chemistries to enhance properties where required. Its range includes aluminium, stainless steel, titanium, tool steel, maraging steel and cobalt chrome.

It says its powder metals are of the highest standard, quality and performance, helping to deliver the best possible results, whichever powder application is chosen, be that Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM), Hot Isostatic Pressing (PM, HIP) or near net shape production.

The company says that it is dedicated to the continued development of new business and backed its ISO9001-2015 status, it guarantees that exceptionally high-quality products and service will always be the Righton Blackburns’ standard.

8 rightonblackburns.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | ADVANCED ENGINEERING composite manufacturing, the latest innovations in materials and how composites are helping to create a greener, more sustainable future. Composites UK CEO David Bailey will return along with the National Composites Centre’s chief technology officer, Enrique Garcia. Prodrive Composites Ltd and B&M Longworth will also take to the stage.

Visitors to the event will also find Alan Banks, innovations manager at Ford, presenting at the composites forum over both days, covering topics such as the future of the UK’s composite sector and the UK’s automotive materials strategy for a net-zero circular economy.

SEPTEMBER 2022

On the aerospace forum, there will be presentations on sustainability, supply chains, digitalisation and automation from Easyjet, Rolls-Royce and Airbus. Sustainability and Net Zero are a large concern,

especially in aerospace. So Advanced Engineering UK will welcome talks from the Aerospace Technology Institute, Nottingham University, ZeroAvia and more, addressing creating a greener industry.

www.engineeringcapacity.com

35

ADVANCED ENGINEERING | Engineering Capacity Finally, the connected manufacturing forum will be open on day one with a talk from Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, followed by an intriguing day full of sustainability, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

Visitors can expect an informative presentation on bridging the physical to the digital world from keynote speaker, Paul Homan, distinguished engineer and chief technology officer at IBM. On day two, the forum will wrap up with talks on the supply chain, additive manufacturing, and an eye-opening presentation on the role of UK manufacturing in levelling up by keynote Bhavina Bharkhada, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Make UK. To further complement this year’s overarching theme of sustainability, Advanced Engineering is introducing a sustainability trail, where exhibitors showcasing an environmentally friendly product or service will be highlighted in show material and with physical branding on their stand.

Alongside this, the innovation trail will showcase the most innovative and pioneering exhibitors for 2022.

Advanced Engineering welcomes back its valued sponsors once again, with Silverstone Technology, GRP Solutions, University of Strathclyde, HP, and PRF Composite Materials headlining the event this year. In the composites networking area, PRF 36

www.engineeringcapacity.com

will showcase a museum of ground-breaking composite products for attendees to see.

Associate forum sponsors, Cristex Composite Materials, Aerospace Manufacturing and Ripley Solutions will support over 200 hours of CPD-accredited learning, which is free for all visitors and exhibitors.

The Enabling Innovation zone will return once again, giving the UK’s most innovative start-ups the chance to present their business to a panel of industry leading figures. Attendees will have access to representatives from some of the world’s top automotive and aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), courtesy of the show’s co-located Meet the Buyer events.

The Meet the Buyer events will be hosted by ADS and the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) to help association members and Advanced Engineering exhibitors hold valuable conversations with buyers that are looking for specific solutions

and components to fulfil their active projects.

Selected businesses can also attend a networking lunch hosted

by SMMT on day one of the exhibition, and a breakfast hosted

by ADS on day two, which will take place in the show’s networking area between the aerospace and automotive show zones, giving them further opportunity to form new partnerships with some of the world’s leading OEMs. Advanced Engineering UK will also house 40 private meeting rooms, thanks to an expansion of floor space at this year’s event, where confidential conversations with eager buyers can take place.

The buyers have been carefully selected by the SMMT and ADS respectively, based on their purchasing requirements and enthusiasm to form new relationships, making this an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Registration is open now on the Advanced Engineering website.

8 advancedengineeringuk.com SEPTEMBER 2022

Engineering Capacity | ADVANCED ENGINEERING

Spring and presswork expert European Springs & Pressings (Stand F142) is a leading expert in spring manufacturing and high speed press technology, providing a full design and manufacturing service for bespoke and standard pressings, wireforms, coil and gas springs.

Established in 1948, with a standard product range of 12,000+ items and a dynamic balance of cutting-edge facilities, experienced engineers and thoughtful customer service, it is one of Europe’s leading spring and stamped component suppliers.

European Springs and Pressings

understands that no two jobs are the same; similar products often require the use of different materials, treatments, variable tolerances or specific heat resistance. This is why it invests in the latest technology and qualified toolmakers to ensure that it can design and produce the very best bespoke stampings, springs and wire forms.

A custom-tailored manufacturing process and inhouse design service – with CAD/CAM software and systems – means it can help customers realise a range of prototype ideas, individually cut using

precision lasers for R&D testing or put into full production. A fully-equipped tool room can design and build any production tooling needed, ensuring competitive pricing, consistent quality and dependable supply.

European Springs & Pressings products are used in major industrial environments all over the world, so whether you need a conventional compression, tension, die, disc or torsion spring, or want the most obscure spring clip or wire form imaginable, it is able to produce exactly what you’re looking for.

8 europeansprings.com

Our experience and expertise expertise extends across across a wide range range of materials, rials, including: in Copper Copper Alloys

Special

Aluminium

Hardiall®

Alloys Stainless & Alloy Steels Bearing Steel Titanium Nickel Alloys

Alloys (AMS4596, AMS4597, AMS4598) Powder Metals Cronidur Cronidur® 30

'0+',%& + r 9 s -4#+ #0 rprr

Visit us on

STAND A N112

# -$$#0 0#*' **# ," #$n!'#,2 "#*'4#07 1#04'!# $0-+ *-! **7 &#*" 12-!)1 $-0 # ," #$n!'#,2 "#*'4#07 1#04'!# $0-+ *-! **7 &#*" 12-!)1 $- # -$$#0 0#*' 12 ," 0"A ,-,R12 ," 0" -0 !312-+#0R1.#!'n! + 2#0' *@ --0 "#"'! 2#" !-+.*#2# 0 "#"'! 2#" !-+.

12 ," 0"A ,-,R12 ," 0" -0 !312-+#0R1.#!'n! + 2#0' *@ 0,1@ 113..*7 . !) %# 2- +##2 7-30 1.#!'n! 0#/3'0#+#,21A !&--1# '%&2-, * !)

3..*7 . !) %# 2- +##2 7-30 1.#!'n! 0#/3'0#+#,21A !&--1# '%&2-, * !) 330,1@

TToo ffind ind your nearest Ser Service vice C Centre entre visit w www.rightonblackburns.co.uk w w.rightonblackburns.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

www.engineeringcapacity.com

37

SPONSORED FEATURE | Engineering Capacity

Subcontract friction welding Discover the benefits of using KUKA’s subcontract friction welding service across a multitude of applications.

The many benefits to using KUKA’s subcontract friction welding facility include: established and proven expertise; use of industry-leading Thompson Friction Welding machinery; no need to invest in capital equipment; multiple component manufacture across numerous sectors; a range of geometries and material combinations can be joined – with advice at hand on material, geometry, metallurgy and pre and post weld processing.

Rotary Friction Welding is suitable for an immeasurable number of applications where it is possible to join two components by oscillation.

In the case of bi-metallic, copperaluminium connectors, there is no other viable method of joining these two materials directly to each other due to the difficulty presented by them having very different thermal expansion coefficients. Low-cost aluminium is joined directly to high cost copper.

Other industries that specify friction welding as their standard bonding method include the automotive sector producing axles, cv joints, turbo chargers, airbag canisters and other such safety critical components. The construction and yellow goods industry use friction welding for manufacture of piston rods and hydraulic cylinders where large diameter high quality steel chromed rods are joined to eyes, yolks and pinions for heavy duty industrial service. The aerospace industry has also been known to utilise the processes for manufacture of high integrity components.

Whatever the sector, or application in which the component shall be utilized, friction welded products have proven to have an enhanced structural integrity.

The friction welding process affords many advantages, compared to competing manufacturing processes, such as fusion welding, structural integrity being the most obvious. The benefits are substantial, and when you partner with KUKA, you’ll be assured of 38

www.engineeringcapacity.com

an end-to-end subcontract friction welding service.

The question that engineers and manufacturers ask when considering their production joining and manufacturing processes is “can we do this better, cheaper and more efficiently?”

The answer is ‘yes’ and the solution lies in subcontract friction welding, for those instances where a manufacturer might not have the means to invest in capital equipment. But when welding engineers, welding production supervisors or operations managers require a machine, on premise, from which they are able to deliver rotary friction welding in house, to whom do they turn?

In addition to our subcontract friction welding capabilities, KUKA’s Hereward Rise facility is also the manufacturing epicentre of the iconic Thompson Friction Welding machine. Rotary friction welding or industrial metallurgical joining has been delivered by Thompson Friction Welding machines for more than 50 years.

Call 0121 585 0888 to find out more bit.ly/KukaRFW

8 Kuka.com SEPTEMBER 2022

BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

The British Turned Parts and Machined Component Manufacturers Association Find out how our members can benefit your business Enquire directly with our Members, via btma.org or mail to info@btma.org

Atkinson Engineering sales@atkinson-engineering.com www.atkinson-engineering.com

Colpa Precision Engineering Ltd steve@colpa.co.uk www.colpa.net

DKW Engineering Ltd karl@dkwengineering.co.uk www.dkwengineering.co.uk

Auto Turned Products (Northants) Ltd shad@autoturned.co.uk www.autoturned.co.uk

CTN Group Ltd charlie@ctn-group.co.uk www.CTN-GROUP.co.uk

Falcon Engineering Productions Ltd sales@falconengineering.co.uk

Bailey & Wade Engineering Ltd www.turnedpartsrus.co.uk Louise.Fisher@nuttersfastenings.co.uk

CTPE Ltd www.ctpe.co.uk alex.taylor@ctpe.co.uk

GS Brown (Precision Engineers) Ltd malcolm@gsbrown.com www.gsbrown.com

Batchflow Engineering info@batchflow.co.uk www.batchflow.co.uk

Currie & Warner Ltd tonyfox@curriewarner.com www.curriewarner.com

G W Martin and Co Ltd sales@gwmartin.co.uk www.gwmartin.co.cuk

BTL Precision-UK Ltd www.btlprecision-uk.com clive.lambert@btl-uk.com

Davromatic Precision Limited sales@davromatic.co.uk www.davromatic.co.uk

H P C Services Ltd sales@slidinghead.com www.slidinghead.com

Cambion Electronics Ltd sales@cambion.com www.cambion.com

Dawson Precision Components Ltd. sales@dpc.co.uk www.dpc.co.uk

Haydon Precision Turned Parts Ltd haydontool.co@btconnect.com www.haydon-precision.co.uk

CK Precision Engineering Ltd Info@ckprecisionengineeringltd.com www.ckprecisionengineeringltd.com

Dawson Shanahan (Wales) Ltd info@dawson-shanahan.co.uk www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk

Herve Engineering Ltd sales@herve-engineering.com herve-engineering.com

SEPTEMBER 2022

btma.org

39

DIRECTORY | BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS

JCF Engineering Limited john.felton@jcfengineering.co.uk jcfengineering.co.uk

Oracle Precision Ltd shaun.palmer@oracle-precision.co.uk www.oracle-precision.co.uk

Salcey Precision Engineering Ltd info@salceyprecision.co.uk www.salceyprecision.co.uk

Manton Engineering (Bedford) Ltd sales@mantonengineering.co.uk www.mantonengineering.co.uk

Plastic turned Parts Ltd sales@plasticturnedparts.co.uk www.plasticturnedparts.co.uk

Scot Bennett Engineering Ltd rob@scotbennett.co.uk www.scotbennett.co.uk

MaS Precision Engineering Ltd sales@masprecision.co.uk www.masprecision.co.uk

Precision Component Services Ltd shane@precision-components.co.uk www.precision-components.co.uk

Sub CNC Precision Engineering Ltd www.sub-cncprecision.co.uk george.dingley@sub-cncprecision.co.uk

Machined Component Systems sales@machinedcomponent.com www.machinedcomponent.com

Precision Products (Brighton) Ltd ian@precisionproducts.co.uk www.precisionproducts.co.uk

Swissmatic Ltd info@swissmatic.co.uk www.swissmatic.co.uk

M&M Turned Parts Ltd sales@mmturnedparts.co.uk www.mmturnedparts.co.uk

Qualiturn Products Ltd sales@qualiturn.co.uk www.qualiturn.co.uk

MJ Engineering Ltd www.mjengineering.net enquiries@mjengineering.net

Quantamatic info@quantamatic.co.uk www.quantamatic.co.uk

Techfore Turned Parts Ltd info@techfore.co.uk www.techfore.co.uk

Neida Products Engineering Ltd sales@neida.co.uk www.neida.co.uk

Rodmatic Ltd enquiry@rodmatic.com www.rodmatic.com

Tenable Screw Co Ltd nigel@tenable.co.uk www.tenable.co.uk

Normec (Manchester) Ltd sales@normec.co.uk www.normec.co.uk

Rowan Precision Limited sales@rowanprecision.co.uk www.rowanprecision.co.uk

Tercet Precision Ltd Alex.Burns@tercet.co.uk www.buyturnedparts.com

40

btma.org

SEPTEMBER 2022

BTMA MANUFACTURING MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

Thomas Brown Engineering Ltd info@thomasbrownengineering.co.uk www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk

Wealdpark Limited sales@wealdpark.co.uk www.wealdpark.co.uk

Wilco Manufacturing Ltd sales@wilcomanufacturing.co.uk www.wilcomanufacturing.co.uk

Trust Precision Engineering Ltd info@trustprecisionengineering.co.uk www.trustprecisionengineering.co.uk

Wharf Engineering Ltd sales@wharf-engineering.co.uk www.wharfengineering.co.uk

Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd info@ypel.co.uk www.ypel.co.uk

Enquire directly with our Members, via btma.org or mail to info@btma.org

BTMA TECHNICAL MEMBERS | DIRECTORY

Arno (UK) Limited sales@arno.de www.arno-tools.co.uk

Citizen Machinery UK sales@citizenmachinery.co.uk www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Kumi Solutions simon@kumi-solutions.com www.kumi-solutions.com

The Amodil Group tkd@amodil.co.uk www.amodil.co.uk

C Dugard Limited sales@dugard.com www.dugard.com

LNS Turbo sales.uk@lns-europe.com www.lns-europe.com

Badger Anodising (Birmingham) Ltd sales@badgeranodising.co.uk www.badgeranodsing.co.uk

Filtermist Systems Limited sales@filtermist.com www.filtermist.co.uk

Matsuura Machinery Ltd imichie@matsuura.co.uk www.matsuura.co.uk

Bowers Group sales@bowersgroup.co.uk www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Floyd Automatic Tooling Ltd sales@floydautomatic.co.uk www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Mills CNC Ltd tdale@millscnc.co.uk www.millscnc.co.uk

Ceratizit UK & Ireland Ltd info.uk@ceratizit.com www.ceratizit.com

Gen2 Group pmasters@gen2group.co.uk www.gen2group.co.uk

Optimum Oils cliff.thrussell@optimumoils.com www.optimumoils.com

SEPTEMBER 2022

btma.org

41

DIRECTORY | BTMA TECHNICAL MEMBERS

Premier Machine Tools UK Ltd david.dunn@premiermt.co.uk www.premiermt.co.uk

SolidCAM UK Ltd info@solidcamuk.com www.solidcam.com

Stelstocks Ltd info@stelstocks.co.uk www.stelstocks.co.uk

Star Micronics GB Ltd sales@stargb.com www.stargb.com

Wickman Coventry Ltd o.coyne@wickman.co.uk www.wickman-group.com

PSL Datatrack sales@psldatatrack.com www.psldatatrack.com

Smiths Metal Centres info@smithmetal.com www.smithmetal.com

Wieland-Nemco Ltd. sales@wieland-nemco.com www.wieland-nemco.com

The Association for UK machined component manufacturers

JFL are broach and broaching specialists with many years personal experience. We offer a comprehensive broaching service covering keyways, squares, hexagons and special forms.

Unit 2, Deethe Farm Industrial Est, Cranfield Rd, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK17 8UR Tel: 01908 585103 www.jflbroaches.co.uk

Qualiturn Products Limited Qualiturn are a very modern subcontract machining service. We offer CNC precision Turned and Milled components to your specifications and quantities. We work with all sizes of customers, offering the same service to all. Supplying various market sectors across the world.

7 Fountain Drive, Hertford, Herts, UK, SG13 7UB Tel. +44 (0) 1992 584499 www.qualiturn.co.uk

MACHINE TOOL MANUALS 8

JFL Broaches and Broaching

CNC PRECISION COMPONENTS 8

BROACHING 8

DIRECTORY | Engineering Capacity

LATHES.CO.UK Lathes.co.uk store.lathes.co.uk - where Manuals, Catalogues Drive Belts Books Accessories & Spares are listed The world’s largest machine tool reference archive. Manuals, Catalogues, Books, Pictures Specifications, Technical Guides Wardlow, Tideswell, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 8RP Tel. 01298-871633 (from overseas: +44-1298-871633) from 09:00 to 23:00 UK time www.lathes.co.uk

Get your company noticed with an Engineering Capacity classified profile advert

Call 01737 270648 42

www.engineeringcapacity.com

SEPTEMBER 2022

Manufacturing precision machined components since 1965 Services include: CNC milling, CNC turning, turn/mill machining, sub contracted services, finishing and project management.

REPETITION TURNED PARTS 8

DAWSON PRECISION COMPONENTS

SUBCONTRACT CNC TURNING 8

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

Engineering Capacity | DIRECTORY

Greenfield Lane, Shaw, Oldham, Lancashire, OL2 8QP Tel: 01706 842311

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

SPRING MAKING 8

dpc.co.uk

Kirkham Engineering Co Ltd 13 - CNC Sliding Heads up to 1”; 14 CNC Twin Turret Fixed Heads up to 65mm; 5 - Twin Turret Twin Spindle; 5 - Twin Turret with Sub-Spindle and 4 - Twin Turret; 4 - CNC Single Turret Fixed Heads up to 6” Billet.

Centreless Grinding & T/rolling. All materials - Stainless Steel; Nickel Alloys and other exotics a speciality.

Prestwood Place, East Pimbo, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9QE Tel: 01695 727401 www.kirkhamengineering.co.uk

Simpson Springs & Pressings Ltd Precision manufacturers of a wide range of compression tension and torsion springs. Also circlips, wireforms, contacts, antennas and light pressings. Quality approved to BS EN ISO 9001:2000.

Oldfield Street, Crosland Moor Huddersfield HD4 5AJ T: 01484 548903 www.thomas-brown-engineering.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2022

Wealdpark Ltd

TURNED PARTS 8

5 High quality precision machined components 5 Trusted technical support service 5 Complete and bespoke service from conception to completion 5 AS9100D & ISO 9001:2015 approved

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

PRECISION ENGINEERING 8

Unit 1, Latimer Road Industrial Est, Latimer Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 2YD Tel: 0118 978 6573 www.simpsonsprings.co.uk

Precision Products (Brighton) Ltd

CNC mill-turn facility using Star sliding head lathes with bar capacity up to 32mm diameter.

Miyano and Doosan fixed head lathes with bar capacity up to 65mm.

Hurco vertical machining centre.

Accredited to AS9100 Rev D

Sutton Road, St. Helens Merseyside WA9 3DJ Tel: 01744 22567 www.wealdpark.co.uk

Unit 2 Brookside Avenue, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3LF Telephone: +44 (0) 1903 776 171 www.precisonproducts.co.uk

A one-stop-shop for high-quality turned parts

www.engineeringcapacity.com

43

Oil & Gas

Security

|

Sports & L Leisure eisure

|

|

|

Power P ower Generation

Specialist A Automotive utomotive

Pneumatics & Hydraulics

Steel – Brass ss

in

iu

uper Alloy s –S

Aerospace Subcontract Accredited Precision Mill T Turned urned Parts Parts CNC Machined Components UK and W Worldwide orldwide Delivery Design & Engineering Support Surface T Treatment reatment & Assembly

|

Medical & Mobility

Stain le

|

– Alu m

• • • • • •

Aerospace

m

– P l a s ti c s

–

Subcontract turned parts up to 65mm in diameter from bar and 300mm billet work