Technical collaboration delivers productivity gains

With over 50 years of experience machining components for the aerospace, defence, medical, electronic and automotive industries; utilising everything from two-axis lathes through to multi-pallet five-axis machining centres axis, Aylesbury-based CNF Precision Engineering could be expected to have all the expertise it needed. However, when it won a significant order to machine exhaust collector manifolds for a motorsport customer, it found itself in need of additional support.

The issue faced by CNF was the complexity of the components, which came in six variants, along with the material, 304 stainless steel.

“When we were faced with stainless steel that required extra-long tool overhangs, we knew we would need additional technical input,” says Mark Baron, CNF’sproduction manager.

Ceratizit provided a range of tooling on trial, with no commitment until successful completion of the process. Key to that success wasthe use of35 mm diameter (with 4xD flute length) KUB Pentron indexable insert drillsfor the main internal port machining, along with a selection of high-feed indexable insert milling cutters using button and square inserts, with finish milling completed using Ceratizit’s Silverline solid-carbide mills and Torus cutters.

The collaboration resulted in significant cycle time savings along with greatly improved tool life. For example, the indexable milling inserts are showing a 300% increase in tool life after testing a variety of carbide grades, eventually settling on Ceratizit’s grade for heat-resistant materials, CTCS245. A 20/30% gain in tool life was seen when switching to Silverline cutters for finish milling, when compared with an incumbent competitor cutter.

In terms of cycle time, the work undertaken with the Ceratizit Torus cutters proved to be productive, with 40-50% decrease in cycle time generated from the switch from a conventional ball-nose cutter to a Ceratizit Torus Monstermill cutter.Tool life also doubled.
For further information www.ceratizit.com

12-year-old wins IET award

A 12-year-old from Huddersfield has won the Institution of Engineering & Technology’s (IET) national ‘Backpack to the Future’ competition. The winning entry ‘blew away’ judges with a design that filters polluted air, helping 8 million people in the UK who suffer the often-crippling effects of asthma.

The IET teamed up with global lifestyle brand HYPE, challenging youngsters to supercharge fashion with STEM and invent a backpack that helps them do incredible things. Eleanor Wood’s ‘Breathe Better Backpack’ – touchingly inspired by her Mum’s experience with asthma – features a built-in air filter and fans, powered sustainably by solar panels and a dynamo.
For further information www.engineer-a-better-world.org

Allied Machine expands thread-mill portfolio

Allied Machine and Engineering, a manufacturer of hole-making and finishing cutters, has added new sizes to its AccuThread T3 thread-mill line. AccuThread T3 is now available in larger UN and ISO sizes up to 1”-8 and M24x3. Machine coding for the new sizes is included in Insta-Code, Allied Machine’s online thread-mill program generator.

Targeting high-production facilities, tool and die industries and high-temperature applications, the additional AccuThread T3 thread-mill sizes create a high-quality thread without the concern of breaking the tool in an expensive workpiece. Allied designed the tool to only machine three threads at a time, which reduces pressure and dramatically increases the chances of tool survival.

The AccuThread T3 is for machining hardened or hard-to-machine materials such as stainless steel, tool steel, and high-temperaturealloys in classifications P, S, M, H, K and N.

According to Allied the advantages of the thread-mill line include: improved tool life and a more precise thread form; the ability to cut harder materials and produce deeper threads than a standard thread mill; and improved cycle time and tool life.

Among notable features is left-hand cutting, which allows the tool to climb mill while it moves from top to bottom, creating a right-handed thread. Further features include the use of three teeth that cut minimal threads all at once and reduce side deflection, along with AM210 multi-layer PVD coating.

Among industries set to benefit are aerospace, agriculture, automotive, firearms, construction, marine, mining and renewables.
For further information www.alliedmachine.com

First anniversary of skills partnership

Two industrial voices in the Midlands have marked the first anniversary of a partnership aimed at tackling the skills crisis facing UK manufacturers.MSC Industrial Supply Co and Next Gen Makers formed a strategic partnership at the end of 2021 to help engineering and manufacturing firms identify skills gaps and improve the quality of their apprenticeship, talent development and retention schemes.

Next Gen Makers has established a group of over 50 engineering and manufacturing firms as part of its Engineering Apprenticeships: Best Practice Programme. It enables companies to share best practice about how to run successful apprenticeship schemes, while benchmarking their individual approaches to identify areas for improvement.
For further information www.nextgenmakers.co.uk

Airbus to recruit 13,000

Building on a 2022 recruitment drive that added over 13,000 new staff members, Airbus is launching another round of hiring for 13,000 more employees with the skills necessary to support the company’s long-term projects. Approximately 25% of the recruitment will focus on jobs in fields such as decarbonisation, digital transformation, software engineering and cyber technology. Airbus will allocate a third of the total recruitment to young graduates, from which it plans to evolve future senior function and business leaders through technical and leadership development, networking and exposure to top management.
For further information www.airbus.com/en/careers