The award is based on VIPER grinding, which was developed in collaboration with Rolls-Royce and Japanese machining centre manufacturer Makino, whose machines NCMT sells exclusively in the UK and Ireland.
The process, which uses small, aluminium oxide grinding wheels exchanged from the tool magazine on Makino machining centre platforms and more recently purpose-built grinders, led to the manufacture of nickel alloy components such as turbine blades to a much higher level of efficiency than had previously been possible.
Metal removal rates were about five times greater than when using traditional, higher capital cost, creep-feed grinders that use large, expensive wheels.
Says MD David Burley: "This accolade is a result of more than a decade of hard work by staff across our entire organisation and excellent collaboration between departments. I am delighted that their efforts have been recognised in this way."
