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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Taking into account the number of sectors that Precision Engineered solutions apply to and the nature of those
sectors, where innovation is leading the way towards economically and environmentally motivated change,
the continuing development of new features, methods, products and processes is not particularly unexpected.
Siemens describes CAM as “the use
of numerical control (NC) computer
software applications to create
detailed instructions (G-code) that
drive computer numerical control (CNC)
machine tools for manufacturing parts.
Manufacturers in a variety of industries
depend on the capabilities of CAM to
produce high-quality parts.”
These machines can be programmed
from an office, leading to staffing
efficiencies and a reduction in costs
associated with fewer employees
being needed on the factory floor.
Additionally, they can maximize
utilisation of a full range of production
equipment, including high speed, 5-axis,
multi-function and turning machines,
electrical discharge machining (EDM)
and CMM inspection equipment.
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Such machines represent the future for
faster, optimised production methods.
COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURING
This is an exciting technology which is
entering the mainstream much faster
than non- specialists might realise
and is one of the fields which has a
close relationship to the development
of composites; “A team at Exeter
University is working on a selective
laser melting (SLM) technique to print
aluminium composite parts – such
as pistons, drive shafts, suspension
components, and brake discs – for
cars and aircraft out of low-cost, metal
powders. The technique is significantly
cheaper and more sustainable than
other SLM methods, and produces
parts that are stronger and quicker to
manufacture than those made using
traditional techniques.”
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According to CSC Leading Edge Forum,
current 3D printing technology is
“good enough” to serve markets that
previously had no manufacturing
capability at all (e.g., small businesses,
hospitals, schools, DIYers), but, the
technology is not expected to flourish in
traditional manufacturing markets for a
number of years, so it is unlikely that an
entire commercial passenger airplane
will be 3D–printed any time soon.
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Nevertheless, this is a field which
poses a significant risk to Precision
Engineering entities which do not
embrace the advantages it offers in
terms of cost savings on premises,
storage and production and the
continuing requirement for engineering
expertise to be inputted into the process
for the creation of more and more
components and the development of
more applications of the technology.
The defence, aerospace and automotive
industries are amongst those which
are now leveraging the benefits of 3D
printing, with Boeing, a pioneer in 3D
printing, already having printed 22,000
components that are used in a variety
of aircraft.
A composite material is made by
combining two or more materials –
often ones that have very different
properties. The two materials work
together to give the composite unique
properties. The biggest advantage of
modern composite materials is that
they are light as well as strong and by
choosing an appropriate combination of
materials, a new material can be made
that exactly meets the requirements
of a particular application. Composites
also provide design flexibility because
many of them can be moulded into
complex shapes. The downside is often
the cost; although the resulting product
is more efficient, the raw materials are
often expensive.
This low weight advantage is of
particular interest to those looking
to save fuel such as the aerospace,
automotive, defence and transportation
sectors, where Precision Engineered
components of this type, can also
benefit from anti-corrosion, higher
weight to strength ratios and a reduction
in the maintenance expenditure of the
end product.
For manufacturers, these are invaluable
qualities and for their Precision
Engineering suppliers, they create the
challenge of ensuring their skills and
equipment can meet the demand for
parts and components built out of
materials with these properties.
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
3D PRINTING
