UK NEWS

Ceratizit makes bespoke step drill for Volz

Rochdale-based Volz Engineering is a subcontract machining company that services the
automotive, aerospace and agricultural industries. With six CNC machines running 18 hours
a day, Volz sends out more than 500 parts a week.
Constantly looking for process improvements, a standout example of a tooling
recommendation which had tremendous impact was for a bespoke step drill. Required for a
job needing the drilling of one hole at different diameters at depths, Volz previously used

multiple inserts. However, swapping tools throughout the process reduced the overall
reliability and accuracy of the finished product, making it difficult to achieve the critical
tolerance of 0.02 mm. The machine process, with the necessary changes to tooling, took a
total of 26 minutes. This is where Ceratizit identified an opportunity to optimise the process.
Purposefully created to fulfil Volz’s exact specifications, Ceratizit designed and
manufactured a unique step drill. After installation, the total machine process time reduced
by more than 50% to just over 10 minutes. Moreover, using step drill requires just one
machine process to achieve the different diameters.
“The step drill was a game changer,” states James Alletson, operations manager at Volz
Engineering. “Not only did the time taken to machine each part dramatically decrease, but
with no machine interruptions we could achieve a greater level of precision. Since using the
step drill we haven’t had to replace it yet, despite the 500 parts a week it’s drilling.”
Impressed by the initial results of Ceratizit tooling, Volz began to switch out more tooling.
Indeed, a Ceratizit vending machine arrived on the shop floor around 18 months ago.
More information www.ceratizit.com

Powering up productivity for EV manufacturer

As a machine tool builder that manufactures high-end four and five-axis machines for the global market, Heller UK has frequent involvement in turnkey projects for prestigious OEMs. On one of its more recent projects, the Redditch-based company enlisted the support of the cutting tool experts at Guhring.

There has been a wide spectrum of tools used on this project for a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs), including Guhring tool holders and tool vending technology. As part of the package of tool holders to accompany the cutting tools, the EV manufacturer has selected a vast range of standard heat-shrink, hydraulic and synchro-tapping chucks.

The cutting tools for the project included a huge range of standard products from Guhring’s portfolio of drills, taps and reamers. Although these accounted for a significant element of the system integration project, it was the bespoke PCD combination tools that demonstrated Guhring UK’s expertise as a one-stop solution provider and valued partner for turnkey projects.

With the PCD combination tools manufactured at Guhring UK’s Birmingham manufacturing facility and its main manufacturing plant in Germany, the bespoke tooling solutions were developed to achieve ‘one shot’ plunging. The bespoke tooling aimed to reduce cycle times and adhere to the high surface finishes required over the life of the tool.

“We delivered 22 four- and five-axis machines in this project, all built in the UK,” says Tad Forys, area sales manager at Heller Machine Tools UK. “Guhring has been with us for every step of the journey, clocking in tools and optimising speeds and feeds to make sure we have the most efficient process for the customer before delivery of the machines.”

More information www.guhring.co.uk

Bowers promotes Ryan Kingswell

Bowers Group has appointed Ryan Kingswell as the company’s new director of sales, marketing and service. In his new role, Kingswell will unify the sales, marketing and service teams at Bowers – an integration that will enhance service by centring on the needs of customers. He will also explore new markets and opportunities for upcoming products. Most recently, Kingswell served as the company’s UK and Ireland sales manager, focusing on driving sales growth and building strong relationships with customers and colleagues. His experience and understanding of the business have prepared him well for his new role.

More information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

UK Manufacturing: The Facts 2024

Make UK’s annual analysis of the latest manufacturing facts and statistics is now available. 

In total, the reports reveals that the sector contributed £217bn in output to the economy last year, supporting 2.6m jobs. Firms are also investing more than in 2023, with £38.8bn worth of investment taking place. Like last year’s edition, ‘UK Manufacturing: The Facts 2024’ again reveals that manufacturing jobs are better paid than most, with average salaries rising by £2281 to £38,769 this year. In comparison, salaries in services and the wider economy average at £34,698 and £35,404, respectively. 

More information www.makeuk.org

Largest order book for ASG

In a landmark announcement at the Farnborough International Airshow last month, Manchester-based aerospace manufacturing conglomerate ASG Group announced its largest-ever group order book. The multi-million-pound orders, facilitated through collaborations with major global aerospace OEMs, signify a significant growth for the group in both single-aisle and long-range platforms. With a client roster that includes Airbus, Boeing, Collins, Eaton, Moog, Rolls-Royce and Spirit, the company’s operations span eight locations across the UK and Germany.

More information www.asg-group.co