Subcontracting to the defence industry

Because of the intricate nature of the technology, and the potential danger should anything go wrong, parts need to be produced to specific designs and tight tolerances. They need to be accurately machined using good quality material. Over the years, Qioptiq have regularly approached DPC for parts, from a handful of spares for refurbs, to batches of thousands. Smaller parts are produced on Citizen multi axis turning centres, whilst larger parts generally use Goodway CNC Lathes. A recent investment in a CNC CMM has made inspection much quicker and simpler for these complex parts. One particular challenge is that the parts used to hold lenses in place have non standard threads so have to be manufactured precisely without using a standard gauge. Because of the long standing relationship, DPC have been able to deliver ongoing value. They have developed special gauges for Qioptiq's specialised threads and have a constant stock of the required materials. They even keep a few spares on the shelf, so that if an urgent order comes in, they can deliver the first batch immediately. As with all customers, all jobs are recorded from start to finish, so they are traceable should there be a subsequent concern, and all machines settings are saved. This means that when a new job comes in, set up times are reduced and the parts can be delivered quickly. Paul Dawson, Sales Director for DPC, says: "In our industry a long standing relationship is to be valued. Having everything in place to pick up a job at the drop of a hat makes our lives easier and certainly brings value to customers in terms of speed and cost. Our goal is to keep delivering precisely machined parts, using good materials, and offering good value, and we hope to continue to support Qioptiq's manufacturing processes for another 40 years."