SUBCONTRACTING NEWS

UK’s most automated 3D print facility

Midlands 3D has opened what it believes to be the most automated polymer 3D print production facility operating in the UK. Earlier this month, the company threw open the doors of its new HQ at an industry open day, showing how it has more than quadrupled its floor space and taken the opportunity to upgrade its fleet of HP MultiJet Fusion (MJF) Printers, adding a proprietary automation system to each.

The automation system enables machines to change their ‘build unit’ automatically once a build is complete, enabling another build to begin within minutes. Utilising these technologies enables the machines to run continuously, dramatically increasing overall efficiency, lowering operating costs and lead times for large print runs.

More information www.midlands3d.com

EMAG VL lathes in the Penn production chain

The increasing complexity of requirements in metal processing and international cost pressure pose particular challenges for manufacturing companies in high-wage countries. Austrian company Penn GmbH has established itself as an internationally active metal processor through a high level of vertical integration and consistent automation. Vertical turning machines from EMAG’s VL series, which have been in use at Penn for over a decade and have now grown to 43 spindles, play a key role in the production chain.

A milestone in the company’s history was the investment in a Hatebur forging plant at the Stratzdorf site in 2007, which produces rotationally symmetrical forgings at a rate of up to 70 components per minute. This corresponds to an annual volume of up to 10 million forged parts.

Such a high production volume requires equally efficient machining technology. This is where the machines from EMAG come into play, as managing director Gernot Penn explains: “The majority of our forged parts are then machined in-house. We use our connected EMAG VL manufacturing systems for this, which run practically around the clock.”

The EMAG machine portfolio has been systematically expanded over the years and

now includes over 30 EMAG VL 2 machines for machining small to medium-sized rotationally symmetrical workpieces, VL 2 DUO line machines with TrackMotion system for automated link-up, VL 3 DUO machines for larger workpieces, and VL 5i systems for machining complex geometries.

Penn plans to merge all three Austrian sites at the Stratzdorf location by 2028, which will mean a significant rationalization boost. EMAG machines will play an important role in this, as their compact design enables high productivity per unit area.

More information www.emag.com

Martin Precision enhances measurement capabilities

Martin Precision Ltd, a supplier of precision-engineered components and assemblies for the aerospace and defence sectors, has strengthened its quality control processes with the integration of advanced metrology solutions from Bowers Group.

Supplying industry giants such as Rolls-Royce, Incora, Siemens, Farsound and Leonardo, Martin Precision invested in a suite of metrology tools, including Sylvac Scan 25T and Sylvac Scan F60T optical measuring machines, a Baty R14 profile projector and Bowers XT3 Holematic bore gauges, which have been a trusted solution in its operations for over a decade.

Alan Muir, quality manager at Martin Precision, says: “The Scan machines have proven to be reliable, user-friendly and highly accurate for the tolerances and sizes we work with. They have significantly improved our inspection efficiency, making them a valuable addition to our operations.”

The Sylvac Scan 25T and F60T optical measuring machine play a crucial role in final inspection, ensuring batch consistency and compliance with strict industry standards. Meanwhile, Bowers XT3 Holematic bore gauges are used throughout production and inspection testing to verify the internal dimensions of key components such as bolts, unions and small fasteners.

To enhance efficiency further, Martin Precision uses pre-programmed measurement routines at the final inspection stage, allowing for seamless batch processing and accurate digital recordkeeping. These records are vital for securing First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) approval and maintaining the company’s stringent quality assurance standards.

With the daily use of Sylvac Scan machines, Martin Precision has experienced significant improvements in accuracy, reliability and inspection speed. The company has successfully reduced inspection times, allowing for a more efficient workflow.

More information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Arden Group reaches 60

The Arden Group, which was first launched by two brothers in the cellar of their family home, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Brothers Frank and Philip Poynter first set up a die-making workshop with just one saw and a workbench in the 10 sq ft cellar of their mother’s semi-detached house in Bredbury, Stockport, in 1964. Today, the Arden Group comprises three specialist divisions: Arden Dies, Arden Engraving and Arden Software. Arden Dies says it has become the UK’s largest die-maker, manufacturing specialist dies and tooling for packaging and cartons.

More information https://ardendies.com/

High-volume machining of aircraft brake clips

Aerospace is Westley Engineering’s largest market, accounting for 45% of total production by value. A notable aerospace contract involves the manufacture of rotor clips used in aircraft disc brakes. Made from aerospace-grade steel and Inconel, the components see application in both civil and military aerospace programmes.

Three years ago, Westley Engineering improved the accuracy of the manufacturing process by switching from piercing holes in the clip using press tools to drilling them on a 40-taper vertical machining centre. Although it improved precision, the new approach also increased cycle times substantially and made the process more labour intensive. So in late 2023, the company installed a Brother Speedio S700Xd1 4-axis, 30-taper machining centre, followed by a second in April 2025. Supplied by Whitehouse Machine Tools, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for the Japanese manufacturer, these high-speed machines have now replaced the VMC for clip production.

In partnership with Whitehouse Machine Tools, Westley Engineering implemented an automated, single-operation process on each Speedio. The new production route features custom-built fixtures with nine inclined bars, each capable of holding 36 clips. This high-density arrangement enables over 300 parts to be machined per cycle, significantly more than the flat fixtures used previously.

Cycle times have been reduced to between two and three minutes per clip, depending on the variant. For example, the Inconel version requires additional milling on the outer arms, whereas the steel variants do not. Typical batch size ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 units.

Before deployment, the process was validated at Whitehouse Machine Tools’ Kenilworth technical centre.

More information www.wmtcnc.com