Standfast lives up to its name

The well documented downturn in the oil and gas market hit a number of subcontract companies hard, and while many chose to make cutbacks, Craigellachie-based Standfast Precision Engineering decided to stand firm and resist the temptation to downsize. As a result, when the work started to return, the company was fully manned with all the skills it needed to meet demand.

Prior to the market cooling-off, Standfast had looked at further machine investment, but delayed until this year, replacing its existing XYZ TC 250 turning centres with the latest TC 400 models.
“Working with materials such as Super Duplex and Inconel meant we needed a substantial machine, and while the TC 250 machines coped well, the TC 400 has improved things considerably,” says Standfast Precision Engineering director Malcolm Fraser. “The machines may look similar, but the construction of the TC 400 models is more substantial and their added rigidity means they can handle bigger cuts in these materials, while holding tolerances for longer. Our tooling consumption has also reduced.”
When Standfast Precision initially looked at turning centres from XYZ, it only ordered one TC 250. However, within three months a second machine was being installed.
“We work to some tight deadlines with extremely short lead-times, and having a second machine was important so we could have capacity available at short notice,” says Fraser. “Therefore, when it came time to upgrade to the TC 400 machines it made perfect sense to bring two in at the same time, with XYZ taking the old machines away in part-exchange. All of the XYZ machines we’ve bought have played a role in moving the company forward and enhanced our ability to continue investing.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Hermle open house announced

More than 30 machining centres, mainly five-axis models and some with various types of automation, will be on show at an open house to be held on 8-11 May at the Gosheim headquarters and factory of German machine tool builder, Hermle AG.

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Manufacturers in the UK and Ireland interested in attending the event should contact sole agent, Kingsbury.
All of Hermle’s machines will be in evidence, including the ‘Performance Line’ range, which has recently been expanded to include mill-turn variants and the C650 model. Guided tours of the production and assembly areas will give visitors an insight into Hermle’s manufacturing processes. As usual, a special area will be set aside for partner companies to exhibit their latest developments in associated segments such as tooling, inspection systems, CADCAM and control technology.
Other highlights will include Hermle’s proprietary MPA additive manufacturing system, work-holding technology and software innovations.
For further information www.kingsburyuk.com

Investment leads to £500,000 sales boost

Moving to ‘one-hit’ machining has delivered a Lancashire precision engineering specialist a £500,000 boost after securing a string of new orders.

Merc Aerospace, which employs 50 people at its facility in Barrowford, has seen turnover rise to £4.2m thanks to a sustained investment drive that has included the purchase of two CNC turn-mill machines from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).
The company has replaced five older models with two Nakamura WT150II machines as part of its commitment to lean manufacturing and reducing lead times for customers that include Airbus, AgustaWestland, BAE Systems and Bombardier.
“We are focused on offering our clients the lowest total cost of acquisition solution for their precision components,” explains Richard Meade, commercial director at Merc Aerospace. “This is where the two Nakamuras really come into their own and ensure we live up to our promise, delivering fantastic control, speed and repeatable quality. Our customers have been so impressed with these new capabilities that they’ve even placed new product orders, building on a £500,000 increase in annual sales for the past 12 months.”
The turret-mounted power tooling ensures components with complex milled features are coming off virtually burr-free and generally as part of a one-hit operation.
Says Meade: “Our ‘one-hit’ machining approach has really improved the company’s productivity and, in turn, made us more competitive when looking to secure new opportunities both at home and overseas. We’re not going to stand still though. The emphasis is on continuous improvement and we have already signed-off further investment, with delivery of a twin-spindle, triple-turret Nakamura NTY3-150 multi-axis lathe scheduled for later this month.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Date set for aerospace machining event

On 9 May Schunk will be hosting a customer innovation day in collaboration with cutting-tool specialist Walter at the AMRC’s Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) in Sheffield.

The event is an opportunity for manufacturers specialising in the aerospace sector to witness best-practice five-axis work holding and machining via presentations and practical shop-floor demonstrations.
As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the KTC is a leading establishment for high-value manufacturing events and therefore the ideal setting for two technology brands to present their latest aerospace innovations. The event will open from 09:30. Numbers are limited, so to avoid disappointment contact Schunk to book a place.
For further information www.gb.schunk.com

Next-generation Foundrax hardness tester

A specialist in Brinell hardness testing, Foundrax, will be launching its next-generation Robus machine at Control 2019 in Stuttgart (7-10 May), and will exclusively preview its newly developed low-force Brinell range of machines.

The company will be present on stand 5509. Foundrax managing director Alex Austin says: “Robus delivers a high-accuracy Brinell hardness testing capability from a robust benchtop system. Our machines provide laboratory-precision hardness testing in steelworks conditions, and we pride ourselves on the accuracy, repeatability and lifespan of our equipment. We have one example of a machine that has performed around 35 million tests.”
The company will also demonstrate the larger floor-standing BRIN400D, a rugged, shop-floor Brinell hardness tester that carries out automatic indentation and measurement for production-level applications.
Pioneers in Brinell hardness testing equipment, Foundrax has over 70 years of foundry, forge and steelworks experience. It is said to be the only company in the world to specialise in Brinell hardness testing equipment and accessories. Foundrax designs and manufactures all its own equipment, including custom-built solutions to customers in 46 countries worldwide, serving sectors such as aerospace, power generation, automotive, leisure and construction.
As well as its core business, Foundrax has recently launched factorysuppliers.com to source and supply materials testing equipment and consumables, as well as thickness and roughness testing equipment. The range is ever expanding and includes reference blocks and metallographic materials used for cutting, grinding and polishing.
For further information https://foundrax.co.uk/