Contract machining firm ALM Engineering Solutions has expanded capacity and advanced its automation strategy following investment in a Japanese-built Brother Speedio W1000Xd2 machining centre. Supplied by Whitehouse Machine Tools, the three-axis machine was installed at the company’s Newton Aycliffe facility at the end of 2025 to enhance flexibility, productivity and lights-out manufacturing.

Established 31 years ago, ALM supplies machined components and assemblies to OEMs across sectors that include medical air filtration, gas generation and entertainment infrastructure. This progressive manufacturing company also produces in-house robotic tooling and assembly-line equipment, as well as architectural hardware.

The investment was driven by capacity constraints, as managing director Tony Thompson explains: “One of the main attractions of the Speedio was the larger bed, overcoming the limitations of our previous 700 mm X-axis machines.”

The 1 m table on the W1000Xd2 has enabled ALM to machine larger parts and increase throughput, while the compact footprint suits the company’s 14,000 sq ft facility.

A key differentiator is ALM’s use of in-house developed collaborative robots, branded ‘Cobots Online’. The Speedio is paired with a mobile cobot, part of a fleet of seven deployed across the shop floor. Designed for rapid set up and relocation, the systems support flexible, unattended operation.

“It’s massive really, giving us 24/7 flexibility,” says Thompson. “We can run machines unattended without weekend overtime.”

The approach has helped boost overall production capacity by nearly 50% over two years without increasing headcount. In addition, the machine’s high-speed performance and ease of use also enabled rapid operator adoption.

Looking ahead, ALM Engineering Solutions is now planning further key investments.

More information www.wmtcnc.com