NEMA Ltd, which manufacturers motors, actuators and electromechanical assemblies for UTC Aerospace, BAE Systems and Airbus, has installed the Hardinge GS200 at its factory in Rochdale.
Image:L-R - Andrew Wilding (NEMA) and John Brimblecombe (ETG
The company acted quickly after a previous machine failed, causing significant downtime, and turned to Engineering Technology Group (ETG) for support in identifying a replacement.
Working together, the two firms took just 10 days from an initial enquiry to specifying the machine, delivery and fully commissioning, including full training for operators.
“The last 12 months have seen us deliver a number of complex and demanding projects for the aerospace sector and that has placed a lot of pressure on our machining capabilities,” explained Andrew Wilding, managing director of NEMA.
“This resulted in a spindle bearing failure on an existing machine. It wasn’t practical for us to try to repair it, so we instead took the longer-term approach of replacing it with a new machine.”
NEMA is securing a lot of new orders, boosting its turnover to £2.3m and necessitating the need for five more people – taking its workforce to 40.
He continued: “ETG was quickly briefed and its response time was excellent, coming back to me with an option that we were happy to invest in. This was quickly specified, delivery agreed and a training plan put place so that we didn’t lose any production time on our motor housings and end plates.”
John Brimblecombe, regional sales manager at ETG, commented: “Aerospace suppliers simply can’t have downtime in their factories and we are delighted that we were able to support Andrew and his team in ensuring a smooth installation and switchover of machines.
“The Hardinge GS200 offers a heavy-duty structure, a one-piece bed, high precision and outstanding accuracy, not to mention 3-row linear guideways. It is the ideal machine to produce components that need to operate in demanding and safety critical environments.”
