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Tool holders raise speed and accuracy or VMC

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jul 31, 2006

In a move to increase productivity still further - an aerospace subcontractor invested in a standard-entry 3-axis VMC and uses Nikken Zero Fit Holders to deliver faster and accurate machining.

Market-leading Weston EU is a privately-owned, tier-one supplier principally serving the aerospace sector.

The company employs some 260 people at its manufacturing facilities in Colne, Lancashire - and supplies complex engine and airframe components to internationally-known and respected aerospace OEMs and prime manufacturers.

These include Rolls-Royce; BAE Systems; Smiths Aerospace, Goodrich, etc Weston EU is a leading exponent of 5-axis milling - and has made significant investment in high-performance 5-axis machining centres.

This technology is used by Weston EU to manufacture, amongst many other parts, high-precision (+/-9 micron accuracy) blades and stators destined for Rolls-Royce aero-engines.

To manufacture these parts involves, in the first instance, simultaneous 5-axis machining on the company's Hermle machines.

Having 5-axis capability ensures that Weston EU achieves the part accuracy and quality required - and is able to achieve it in less machine set-ups, fewer machining operations and reduced cycle times.

Secondary machining operations on the part involve the machining of small diameter retaining holes at the base of the blade (root) - which until Nikken's intervention were carried out on a jig borer.

Whilst the jig borer route was accurate - it was also time consuming and required regular manual intervention.

In a move to increase productivity still further - Weston EU invested in a standard-entry 3-axis VMC and used Nikken Zero Fit Holders to deliver a faster and equally-as-accurate solution.

The results using this approach have been impressive.

Furthermore because the run-out accuracy of the Zero Fit Holders can be simply adjusted back to 0.001-0.002mm tolerance - the Nikken solution avoids the potential for making oversize holes (the end result of which would be to scrap the part) and instead guarantees consistent part accuracy and increased tool life too.