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Speeding tool regrinds for aero industry
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 Techni-Grind's new Helitronic Vision is capable of processing tools up to 320 mm diameter by 300 mm long Techni-Grind (Preston), a sub-contract supplier of precision tool regrinding services to the aerospace industry, has installed a fourth Walter high specification CNC tool and cutter grinder and a new Helicheck tool measuring machine to speed regrind and inspection times. Formed in 1990, Techni-Grind has enjoyed steady growth by providing a comprehensive regrinding service to the North West’s buoyant aerospace industry. The ISO9002-accredited company is an approved Tier One supplier to BAE Systems, whose site at nearby Salmesbury is visited daily by Techni-Grind to ensure a planned programme of regrinds is maintained. The company also services sites at Brough and Barrow-in-Furness as part of BAE’s Supplier Excellence Programme. “We work in close partnership with our customers,” says managing director David Higham. “After all, if you have a £200 cutter and you want to maximise its regrind life, we liaise with our customers’ operators to ensure they understand the regrind process. Hence we are able to generate maximum savings for our clients.” The new Helitronic Vision is capable of processing tools up to 320 mm diameter by 300 mm long (370 mm for peripheral grinding. The Vision has already been put to work by the company regrinding a range of HSS and carbide end mills, slot drills, form cutters, reamers and conventional flute drills – and it immediately produced benefits in terms of processing speed. All of the Walter machines operate during standard working hours plus throughout a night shift four times a week. Typically the 21-employee company processes cutters up to 65 mm diameter and up to 300 mm long. “The aerospace industry demands continuity of quality,” states David Higham. “The customer wants to be certain that when a cutter has a regrind it will be as good as new, time-after-time. The cutters are not checked by the customer, so they need to have faith in our processes. “This is one of the reasons why we purchased the Helicheck Basic, an entry-level tool inspection machine, which has replaced conventional shadowgraph and clocking techniques. The machine not only improves quality but also saves considerable inspection time.” Techni-Grind says HSS cutters can typically withstand up to five regrinds, while carbide cutters can take three, although it is possible to hold tighter tolerances on the latter. Demand is possibly set to increase again shortly as BAE’s Salmesbury prepares to introduce an additional machine shop facility potentially housing up to 60 CNC models. “We are known for our quality service, competitive prices and on-time delivery,” says David Higham. “The industry is forever changing but through continual improvement via, for example, capital investment, we aim to be the number one choice for our customers, both now and in the future.” The introduction of the latest Walter technology at Techni-Grind has also led the company to ponder tool manufacturing, something that traditionally represents only a small portion of current business. “Although our expertise is in regrinding, with our new investments manufacturing is certainly a more viable option and we are currently exploring a potential joint venture with one customer,” says David Higham. http://www.engineeringcapacity.com/archive101 |
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