Wilson Manufacturing, which supplies precision parts into the aerospace, marine, medial and oil and gas sectors, will use its Quaser MF400UH to increase capacity, boost quality and reduce set-up times. The move marks a successful year for the company, which has seen it create two new jobs and increase sales by 25%, putting the business on course for a £1.35 million turnover.
“Our customer base is spread across a number of demanding sectors and there is an increasing need for more complex components, a trend that we’ve met head-on with the purchase of the 5-axis CNC machine,” explains director Andy Wilson. “We discussed our requirements with ETG and they spent a lot of time getting to understand our processes and the parts we make. This was crucial in providing a complete picture of where we wanted to go, and led to them suggesting the Quaser MF400UH.
“It has only been up and running for a few months and we've already been really impressed with the performance,” he continues. “The control, spindle speed and ability to machine multiple faces of complex parts have been game changers – in some instances we have improved cycle time by 30%. This makes us a lot more competitive and, at a time when speed-to-market is crucial, gives us another USP when exploring new business opportunities.”
Wilson Manufacturing, which has been AS9100 aerospace and defence approved since 2013, works with its clients in a range of materials and offers first-stage design support through to full production.
As part of the machine install, ETG identified the need for a full simultaneous 5-axis seat from Mastercam, which gives the company a foundation for fast and efficient milling. The 5-axis toolpath capability means every component can be produced on the Quaser MF400UH, as well as opening up opportunities for entry into new sectors.
“It’s a massive investment for our business, so we knew it had to be right, which is why we were so impressed with ETG and its team, ranging from sales and technical support, to installation and service engineers,” concludes Wilson. “I have no doubt it will be money well spent and we could well make a return on our investment within the first two years.”
