A UK engineering specialist has completed its largest-ever rapid tooling project as demand for shorter lead times intensifies. MetLase, which is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, has designed and manufactured a stainless-steel tool measuring 4 m in diameter and capable of holding a component 2 m tall.

The company met the challenge of the major aerospace customer head-on, with manufacturing sign-off and delivery completed in just one month; 150 days quicker than the client would have previously expected. It is just one in a list of notable successes from the Yorkshire-based firm, which harnesses the design skills of a 25-strong engineering team and innovative joining solutions that replace traditional welding process.

“Typical conventional tooling approaches often take a massive block of material and then machine away the unrequired bits to form the tool,” says Richard Gould, business development manager at MetLase. “We take a different stance, basically laser cutting sheet metal, usually stainless steel or titanium, into lots of different elements. These are then joined to form the tool using our own manufacturing technique, removing the need to weld them together and endure the distortion that usually comes with this process.”

He continues: “Everything is controlled ‘in-house’ at MetLase. We’re always adding to our standardised feature library and parametric modelling system that allows us to instantly access formulas for creating tools for specific applications. All of this means we can work with customers to reduce lead times to weeks if not days, ensuring the client has more time for iterating their component design before signing off the tooling. As well as the time saving, our service can also help mitigate massive financial costs associated with last minute changes.”

For further information
www.metlase.com

Kirbi Taylor, an apprentice at Nikken Kosakusho Europe Ltd, is the winner of the Rotherham Apprentice of the Year Award for the ‘Intermediate’ category, beating off competition from over 50 applicants from a variety of industries. In addition, Taylor is also shortlisted as a finalist in the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre’s Apprentice of the Year awards and has already won the centre’s ‘Spotlight’ award for the best in cohort last year.

With a lifelong interest in engineering – and inspired by her grandfather’s previous success in the industry – Taylor decided to pursue a career in engineering by undertaking an apprenticeship in mechatronic maintenance with Nikken and the AMRC Training Centre, which is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. The award recognises her exceptional contribution and commitment to Nikken, as judged by a panel of experts from within the Barnsley and Rotherham business sector.

Nikken service manager Mark Timmons says: “Kirbi is a breath of fresh air: friendly, confident and greets everyone with a smile. She is eager to learn and gets involved with as many areas of the business as possible. We have three apprentices in the service department who have all excelled in their careers. They are fundamental to the future of Nikken and engineering. I look forward to watching the progression of Kirbi, and our other apprentices, as they take on more responsibilities and challenges.”

Nikki Jones, director at the AMRC Training Centre, adds: “It comes as no surprise to us that Kirbi has received recognition for her efforts and achievements as an apprentice engineer. Since joining the AMRC Training Centre with Nikken, she has shown true dedication and commitment to the engineering apprenticeship programme, and seized every opportunity with passion and vigour.”

For further information
www.nikken-world.co.uk