Mike Page, Editor, writes:
We see from your search that you're looking for information on the term "Subcontract Work",
and we have a large number of manufacturers' news releases and technical articles here on Manufacturingtalk which will be of interest.
Let me be your guide.
Start with
the news release Press brake operates without crowning from
Safan, which we summarised at the time by saying "A press brake concept is built around a servo-electric drive based on a patented pulley principle that results in a very even distribution of forces, so a crowning table is not needed for most
jobs".
Several months prior to that,
we featured the news release CNC lathes investment wins new business from
Hardinge Machine Tools: "Investment in two CNC lathes has produced significant business benefits to a subcontractor including the winning of its first contract in the aerospace sector".
In January 2007, we covered the news from Hurco Europe
concerning its Vertical machining centre
- take a look at Vertical machining for EDM electrode production
which says: "2006 saw a rationalisation in the press tool making industry in the West Midlands, with dozens of firms going out of business, including some of the biggest names".
Take a look also at the news release from Hurco Europe, VMC keeps EDM electrode machining 'in-house',
as well as Machining centre with 5-axis capability from Hurco Europe,
and Precision contractor acquisition from EDM Precision Technologies.
See also:
News on the Precision subcontract work from Hemlock Engineering
(October 2006)
A demonstration of five-axis machining is to be staged by precision subcontract specialist Hemlock Engineering at the Autosport Engineering exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham
PCB manufacturer adds on more test equipment
(August 2006)
Printed circuit board manufacturer has acquired mania test equipment to provide an additional service; to not only support their own factory but also other PCB manufacturers
Twin wire EDM improves part accuracy, finish
(August 2006)
In just under three months a twin wire EDM has had a dramatic impact on a company's performance and productivity - providing improved part accuracy and superior surface finish
Production management system replaces MRP
(April 2006)
At a fluid handling system manufacturer, management software has replaced a GBP 300,000 MRP/accounting system and immediately saw an improvement of visibility of company information
Mill/turn investment brings subcontractor growth
(January 2006)
UK subcontractor is enjoying a period of considerable growth and is on target to double its current business levels through investment in five-axis mill/turn machine tools
HP coolant in sliding head autos up output
(October 2005)
Three sliding-headstock lathes equipped with high-pressure coolant have revolutionised SS component production at one of the UK's leading aircraft engine pipe assembly suppliers
HMC investment brings in the customers
(March 2005)
'Not only are customers and prospects impressed by good quality plant on the shop floor, but our own people are equally pleased to see a high level of investment,' said a contractor
Cold form parts maker warms to DIY MRP system
(October 2004)
Manufacturer of cold formed metal parts with a staff of 40 people has self-installed an MRP systemthat has proven to be more cost-effective than upgrading
More CNC sliding head autos win increasing orders
(June 2004)
Having already bought five sliding headstock CNC lathes in 15 months, such was the competitive edge gained that a precision machinist bought a 13-axis model with a Y-axis feed to the gang tool slide
Subby let-down led to in-house CNC investment
(May 2004)
When one of its principal subcontractors started to become unreliable, a toolmaking company quickly installed an electronic lathe, eliminated grinding and brought work back in-house
Flexible CAM add-on reduced part programming time
(February 2004)
Limited by the scope of existing CAM functionality in a CNC punch press controller, a stair components maker searched around for a more flexible CAM, which reduced part programming time
CNC lathe cuts extrusion die machining by 70%
(February 2004)
Following the investment in a CNC slant bed chucking lathe a leading producer of extrusion dies for plastics and rubber insulation has cut extrusion die machining up to 70 per cent
CAM supports extreme time-to-market demands
(December 2003)
A vital tool to help the team produce parts for its F1 cars under the intense time-to-market pressures is a suite of manufacturing software that is easy to use on the shopfloor
High pressure coolant slices 30h off batches
(October 2003)
The retrofitting of a 2,000 lb/in2 high pressure coolant system has had the dramatic effect of saving up to 30 hours production time on batches of 1,000 parts in a CNC sliding head auto
Minimising non-cutting times hold down costs
(March 2003)
A machining centre's ability to minimise non-cutting times and hence maximise productivity, helped to keep down unit manufacturing cost and allow competitive subcontract prices
CNC flexibility avoids taking the bitter pill
(March 2003)
CNC's power and flexibility allows complex milling and machining centre programs for tablet blister pack tooling to be created with ease on the shop floor
Fast delivery on precision parts
(November 2002)
Compact engine compartments often necessitate intricate designs and close tolerance manufacturing such as a bracket with integral oilways, precision cast by Norse Precision
No cartridges allows EDMs to work long cycles
(October 2002)
EDM die sinkers that can filter electrolyte without having to change any cartridges means that they are able to operate continuously over long periods when machining nickel alloy turbine parts
Six-axis drill grinder reduces tool inventories
(August 2002)
Since Wilkie Engineering purchased a six-axis drill grinding machine it has minimised machine downtime, reduced tooling inventories and secured subcontract work
Business expands on difficult honing jobs
(July 2002)
An increasing proportion of a honing subcontracter's work is for complicated one-off projects which require innovative thinking when faced with awkward parameters
CNC profiler and press brake demolish lead times
(July 2002)
The need to reduce manufacturing costs moved a metal finishing plant specialist to invest in CNC laser profiler and CNC press brake and slash lead times from 4 days to 6 just hours!
High speed M-C slashes lead times for toolmaker
(May 2002)
A major one-stop press tool manufacturer, serving a range of industries including the automotive and telecomms sectors, invested GBP 300,000 in new plant and a new five-axis high speed M-C
Sits quietly in the corner and keeps on turning
(April 2002)
Since a bar-fed CNC lathe was installed, it has operated virtually 24 hours a day with very little manual intervention other than for set-up, bar replenishment and part inspection
Laser and CNC punch press win customers
(January 2002)
Having a quick, competent reaction to customer requirements has helped Computerised Sheet Metal (CSM) to more than triple its turnover in the last three years
Subby diversifies to beat the telecomms downturn
(August 2001)
The current uncertainty in the telecommunications industry has prompted many subcontractors to diversify their customer base to compensate for a reduction in high volume production contracts
Sliding heads raise productivity by two-thirds
(February 2001)
To help meet growing demands for torque control tooling, MHH invested in two Citizen sliding head lathes from NC Engineering, and is now achieving an average 65 per cent higher productivity