SUBCONTRACTING NEWS

ActionPlas enters F1 sector and secure future growth

Design and contract manufacturing firm ActionPlas Group has upgraded its quality control department with the purchase of an Altera M 20.12.10 co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) from LK Metrology. The subcontractor specialises in machining and fabricating mainly plastic, but also metal, components and assemblies for sectors including automotive, food and drink, pharmaceutical, and power generation.

The new CMM supports pre-delivery inspection of high-value, complex machined and additively manufactured parts, including critical components for a Formula 1 team. The project formed part of a £1m investment programme focused on the F1 customer, where increasing component complexity and tight tolerances demanded enhanced inspection capability.

ActionPlas technical director Jonathan Wray says: “Previously we were struggling to measure these components, which feature complex geometry and demanding tolerances, using an ageing CMM from another manufacturer. Components used in F1 race cars must fit correctly first time, as failure at the racetrack is simply not an option.”

He continues: “We need to specify the exact form, orientation and location of features such as bores, aerofoils and wall thicknesses, with typical part-to-CAD tolerances of 10 microns.”

The Altera M 20.12.10 offers a working volume of 2.0 x 1.2 x 1 m and was supplied withRenishaw’s SP25M Scanning Probe Kit 2 for both high-speed scanning and touch probing. The package also included LK CAMIO 2025 R2 software, training and consultancy services.

LK supplied the machine from stock just two weeks after order placement. The CMM is now in daily use across ActionPlas’ R&D, quality control and production departments, helping the company secure increasingly complex and higher-value work.

More information www.lkmetrology.com

New MD for Regent

One of the UK’s longest-standing precision engineering firms, Regent Engineering, has announced a significant leadership transition, as Stuart Whitehouse has been appointed managing director, succeeding long-serving directors Alan and John Shaw. The appointment marks both a continuation of a proud family legacy and the beginning of a new era for the Darlaston-based manufacturer, which has roots stretching back to 1941. Founded by Arthur Shaw, the business has grown from a local toolmaking operation into a respected supplier of pressings, welded assemblies and fabricated products serving UK and European markets.

More information www.regenteng.com

Ficep helps Warrington Fabrications more than double output

Ficep UK has supplied a Valiant CNC drilling line and Tipo D50 to Warrington Fabrications, helping the Cheshire-based steel specialist modernise production and more than double output.

Established over 40 years ago, Warrington Fabrications employs more than 50 people and delivers secondary steelwork and bespoke metalwork for projects ranging from hospitals to large-scale construction. With customers spanning single-beam requirements to major contracts, the company produces everything from staircases to full structural frameworks.

Having worked with Ficep UK for over two decades, Warrington previously relied on older cutting, drilling and punching equipment that had become a constraint on productivity. Seeking to increase throughput, the company turned again to Ficep to identify a future-ready solution.

Rather than a like-for-like replacement, Ficep worked closely with the team to recommend the most suitable systems. Production manager Chris Millington also visited Ficep’s facility in Italy to see the machines in operation, ensuring confidence in the investment.

The Valiant CNC line delivers automated drilling, marking and sawing of structural sections, while the Tipo D50 processes smaller profiles, handling cutting, drilling and scribing tasks. Integrated software improves marking accuracy and reduces manual intervention across the shop floor.

“Our old machines had served us well, but we needed to modernise,” says Millington. “The new systems are faster, require less maintenance and have already transformed our output.”

Installation and training were completed smoothly, enabling rapid adoption. A Ficep tool-vending system has also streamlined consumable management.

With enhanced efficiency and capacity, Warrington Fabrications is well positioned for continued growth, supported by its long-standing partnership with Ficep UK.

More information https://ficepgroup.com/ficep-uk/

Subcontractor invests in first five-axis machining centre

When Andy Battensby and Dale Robson launched North Axis Engineering in Cramlington, Northumberland, their goal was to fill a regional gap for high-precision, quick-turnaround subcontract machining. Targeting the subsea, aerospace and automotive sectors, the company’s rapid growth reflects both ambition and carefully planned investment.

From the outset, the directors prioritised reliable, accurate CNC technology. Drawing on previous experience with Hurco, they equipped the new business in early 2025 with a pre-owned VM10i three-axis machining centre and TM8i CNC lathe. The VM10i delivers high metal removal rates within a compact footprint, while the TM8i provides robust turning capability. Both machines feature Hurco’s Max5 control, enabling fast programming, reduced set-up times and rapid progression to first-off parts.

Rising demand soon prompted expansion. By March 2025, North Axis had added a new VM30i machining centre, complete with an H200 rotary table. Offering larger travels and integrated fourth-axis capability, the machine allows more complex work and efficient second operations. Hurco’s conversational programming ensures this added capability remains easy to use.

Beyond machining, the company offers CADCAM programming, MIG and TIG welding, and fabrication services, all of which strengthen its position as a flexible manufacturing partner.

Its most significant step, however, came with the purchase of a five-axis VM10Ui, confirmed at Hurco’s year-end open house. For a business less than a year old, the move underlines strong confidence and forward planning. As Robson explains: “We already have work requiring simultaneous five-axis machining, and our familiarity with Hurco means we can get up to speed quickly.”

With continued investment and a growing project pipeline, North Axis Engineering is firmly positioned for sustained expansion.

More information www.hurco.co.uk

Starrag provides Omni Aerospace with precision at altitude

With sunlight glinting off an aircraft wing, it is easy to admire modern aerospace engineering. Behind every precision component, however, lies a combination of advanced technology and strong manufacturing partnerships. This is evident at Omni Aerospace in Wichita, Kansas.

Founded over 25 years ago by CEO John O’Neill, Omni Aerospace produces complex structural components for major OEMs including Boeing, Bombardier and Lockheed Martin. As demand grew for tighter tolerances, lighter materials and faster turnaround, the company invested in Starrag’s ECOSPEED F 1540 machining technology. Installing the first model in 2017 marked a significant step forward.

“The ECOSPEED was a game changer,” confirms O’Neill. “It enabled us to achieve levels of speed and accuracy we simply couldn’t before.”

The machine improved precision, reduced set-up times and eliminated the need for match drilling, enabling consistent production of close-tolerance aerospace parts. The impact was immediate, with revenue doubling and new business secured.

Building on this success, Omni added a second ECOSPEED and integrated both machines into a palletised flexible manufacturing system, enabling continuous, lights-out operation. The machines process demanding aluminium components, including large wing ribs requiring extensive material removal, while maintaining tight tolerances.

In 2025, Omni is expanding again with a third ECOSPEED F 1540, further increasing capacity and improving workflow efficiency. The company is also preparing to extend its capabilities into hard metal machining.

This ongoing investment reflects a strong partnership with Starrag and a shared focus on performance and innovation. As O’Neill concludes: “Starrag has helped us not only meet expectations, but exceed them.”

More information www.starrag.com