Multi-axis machining is the key to staying competitive

Investment in automation and multi-axis machining is the key to British companies being able to win business in an increasingly competitive global market. This was the strong message from a series of multi-axis machining workshops held at Chiron UK from 22^nd to 24^th October.

British manufacturers have to bear the combined burdens of a strong pound, the ready availability of cheap labour in the Far East and the lack of a level playing field in the application of health and safety and social welfare legislation. Multi-national customers are already investing in new plants outside the UK, while UK companies are themselves looking overseas to source goods traditionally purchased in home markets.

Investment in Low Cost “Commodity” machine tools is not the answer; these investments can be duplicated anywhere in the world. Attempting to compete in a low-cost, low-technology environment simply plays to the strengths of our competitors.

The UK’s strength lies in the skills of its engineers, designers and technicians; their experience of quality concepts, reliability and deliverability; and their knowledge, experience and understanding of technology.

To become more competitive, companies need to invest in faster, more productive machinery, new technology, flexible multiple-face machining techniques and simple automation.

Investment in automation does not necessarily mean robots and production lines and can be used in the simplest of processes. Many manufacturers use simple, “hard” fixture technology with manual clamping to machine each face of a prismatic part in each setup. This can mean that up to six setups are required on each part – and each time fixtures and components have to be unclamped, re-datumed and re-clamped.

The result of this is more complexity, higher labour costs, greater floor space requirements, increased lead time and more work in progress. At the same time, flexibility is reduced and quality put at risk while compound angles and faces are difficult to machine and fixture.

Adding fourth or fifth axis capability not only reduces the number of clamping and re-clamping operations but also the number of fixtures and fixture locations required. The result is less complexity, fewer defects, reduced operator input, floor space and inventory and a consequent improvement in quality, flexibility, lead time and profitability.

Companies can therefore increase their production capacity within existing resources and have the flexibility to be more responsive to their customers’ needs.

The challenge for British industry is invest in technology to establish manufacturing efficiency as its competitive edge by:

• Reducing setup and first-off prove out times
• Introducing faster, more productive machines
• Reducing manning
• Increasing income per hour
• Increasing income per square foot
• Reducing component costs

And introducing a cultural step-change in management style and manufacturing strategy.

ENDS

23 October 2002

For more information please contact:

Andy Sandford

Sticklebacks Communications

Tel: 01737 270 648

Mobile: 07971 436 644

andy@sticklebacks.com