Milling cutter technology brings home the accolades

At the Annual BAE Systems’ Chairman’s Awards for Innovation the Integrated Services Manufacturing Team comprising Mark Wilson (BAE Systems), Tony McMullen (BAE Systems), Dave Birkenhead (BAE Systems), Graeme Carroll (Technicut) and Jimmy Anyon (Technicut) were successful in achieving a Gold award. The award ceremony is the culmination of a year’s activity that has seen over 3,500 submissions reduced to 18 finalists from across all BAE Systems world wide operations. Of these 18, six were chosen to receive the highest award obtainable, Gold. The Team was able to revolutionise the production of the F35 Lightening II hinge spar through the application of Technicut's MEGA-FLUTE tooling technology, providing 100 per cent component accuracy and saving over 90 hours’ production time per aircraft set. Early estimates suggest cost avoidance of more than £30 million over the life of the program for the hinge spar, with 12 other major components also in scope which will further increase the savings for BAE Systems. MEGA-FLUTE has also been recognised by Rolls-Royce, receiving the Sir Henry Royce Award for Technical Innovation. A team comprising members from Rolls-Royce, Technicut and the AMRC at Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park won the award by demonstrating the potential to deliver a step-change in productivity for the machining of a broad spectrum of aeroengine components and features in both titanium and nickel alloys. The true benefits are yet to be fully quantified, but it is anticipated that this revolution in milling technology will deliver significant cost reductions and contribute towards decreased future capital expenditure requirements.