Starrag’s Heckert machining centre combines with Nikken Toolholders

Starrag’s Heckert machining centre combines with Nikken Toolholders for high-performance AMRC aerospace projects

Tripartite collaboration between project enabler/integrator, machine tool supplier and toolholding specialist is continually pushing the boundaries of high-performance machining and increasingly reducing machining lead times and production costs for a major aerospace company.

The ongoing work between the project lead - the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) - and machine tool specialist Starrag UK, plus the tooling expertise of Nikken Kosakusho on a variety of aluminium and titanium aerostructure workpieces is cutting piece part costs through the creation of improved machining routines.

“Although not directly targeted by the projects, in some cases reductions in cycle times are one rewarding by-product of the work – in some cases of more than 50% compared with ‘conventional’ machining processes,” says Starrag UK’s director for sales and applications, Lee Scott.

Tom McCready, engineering and operations manager at the AMRC’s Machining Group, adds: “By setting new benchmarks in the way in which we use the full capabilities of the machine and tooling packages, we are consistently gaining new ground in the way parts are being machined. And because some of these projects involve ‘live’ production workpieces, the gains achieved at being more effective and efficient in machining are already being transferred into the manufacturing processes.”

The AMRC houses an array of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to enable partner companies and project sponsors to develop and trial new technologies and processes. It works closely with customers and project sponsors to select the ideal machines and manufacturing technologies required to fulfil each project’s individual demands.

Initiated by the AMRC’s Machining Group with two of its Tier 2 partners – Starrag UK and tooling integrator, Nikken - Starrag’s Heckert X40 horizontal machining centre has been moved a few hundred yards from its initial AMRC Factory of the Future base on Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Park to Nikken’s Innovation Centre, Europe. Engineers from the AMRC team are continually working with Nikken and Starrag to utilise the impressive capabilities of the five-axis machine and its tooling packages.

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