Subcontractor invests in EDM machine

The machine was installed at the company's facility in Colne and is the first EDM machine to be purchased by NR Engineering, it having previously subcontracted out its wire EDM work. NR Engineering's project manager, Steve Moody, said: "By bringing our wire EDM capabilities in-house, we are better able to meet stringent part quality requirements and achieve the tight delivery deadlines we are subjected to. The wire machine investment also helps us control our costs and, as a consequence, makes us more competitive." NR Engineering manufactures precision parts for the oil/gas, medical and, increasingly, the aerospace sectors. Typical parts manufactured using the CUT 20P machine include a range of different-sized hydraulic actuators. The actuators, machined from carbon steel bar, are manufactured in relatively large batches, with the CUT 20P machine being used to perform the last of five separate machining operations. This operation involves the machining of a series of precise slots (pictured), to 10 µm accuracy, using 0.2 mm diameter coated wire. The NR Engineering-designed fixturing for the actuators enables 20 parts to be machined in a single set-up. NR Engineering is no stranger to advanced CNC machine tools or in making regular and significant investment in them. The company has 12 sliding-head and 16 fixed-head turning centres, as well as a number of CNC grinding and honing machines. NR Engineering also provides its customers with a range of secondary finishing operations, such as heat treatment, plating and anodising, as well as assembly and sub-assembly capabilities.