Dawson Shanahan invests in high-precision hard turning technology
1 min read
Dawson Shanahan, a supplier of cold formed and machined components, is investing in new state-of-the-art hard turning technology at its factory in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.
In particular, Dawson Shanahan will be investing in two highly specialised turning machines, the K90 and K250 custom built by the Swiss company Kummer Frères SA. These innovative machines produce such a high quality result, with surface finish precision typically being within 2 µm and tolerances of 10 µm, while removing minimal stock, that the need for grinding as a finishing process is eliminated.
Using the new Kummer equipment, Dawson Shanahan can achieve this degree of superior surface finish quickly, enabling them to cut costs and lead times considerably, particularly when manufacturing small hardened component parts of up to 30 mm in size, those produced in high volumes and those with complex profiles, faces and bores.
The Kummer hard turning machines are fully automated and easily turn components with a hardness of 58 to 62 HRC, improving Dawson Shanahan's capability to customers still further. They use a standard single point cutting tool to turn complex contours, eliminating the need for expensive form wheels, and multiple operations can be performed in one clamping set up.
Established in 1945, the company employs 55 people in its 2800 m² purpose built factory. Dawson-Shanahan boasts being a leading global specialist in cold forming and machining of high precision, customer specified copper, aluminium, ferrous and assembled components, with 50% of its business being exported, the company's products meet the demands of a wide range of sectors.
The new larger capacity machines form part of the company's long term expansion strategy and comes at a time of increased demand, especially from customers in the medical, automotive and aerospace sectors.
