Highbank investment gives company unrivalled edge

Supplied by Ward Hi-Tech, Sheffield, who are one of Highbank’s partners at the “Advanced Manufacturing Centre” in Burnley (see Machinery, November 2005, page 10) it has a capacity of 710 mm swing by1130 mm long and benefits from having driven tooling. Further additional capacity will be added through a Heidenhain controlled De-Vlieg 43H72, also to be commissioned this month. These investments are part of the Highbank vision to move toward streamlined CNC production of jigs and fixtures, as well as sub-contract parts machining. According to Highbank partner Peter Saunders, this completes an investment for 2005 of around £650,000, the company having commissioned a 3 + 2-axis Mecof CS50 travelling-column machine last July. The investment has also included a seat of Solid Works and Solid CAM and all in all “takes Highbank to a manufacturing and design platform unrivalled in this area” says the company.