Lancashire subcontractor expands

Citation

(2009), "Lancashire subcontractor expands", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781bab.004

Lancashire subcontractor expands

Article Type: Aerospace technology From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 2

One of the leading contract machinists in the North of England, Clitheroe Light Engineering, has purchased the freehold of formerly rented premises on the Upbrooks Industrial Estate in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Following the acquisition, the floor area was expanded by a fifth, the additional 200 m² unit accommodating an extension to the company’s flexible manufacturing system (FMS).

The Fastems FMS, originally installed at the end of 2006, has been doubled in size to 34 m and now comprises 72 storage positions for machine pallets. The existing Doosan and two Mori Seiki horizontal machining centres that are linked to the system will be joined by two more half-metre-cube HMCs with 50-taper spindles, currently on order and due to be installed in early 2009.

Commented Chris Wilkinson, a director of the family-run subcontractor, “Our success over the last few years has been largely down to automating our prismatic machining, not just in the FMS but also by installing twin-pallet HMCs and a 7-pallet horizontal machining cell.”

“The increase in efficiency compared with manned vertical machining centres has been dramatic. It has allowed us to shorten delivery times and quote more competitive prices, as we have been able to move to 24-hour operation without the expense of putting on a third, manned shift.”

A large part of Clitheroe Light’s business has traditionally been in the supply of hydraulic and pneumatic components to multinational companies. Diversification is planned into the aerospace and defence sectors, however, in view of the subcontractor’s proximity to many tiers 1 and 2 suppliers in Lancashire and neighbouring counties. The company already holds ISO9001:2000 approval for its quality management systems and is working towards aerospace-specific accreditations.

Figure 3 One of the multi-axis mill-turn centres on the shop floor at Clitheroe Light being tended by Director, Chris Wilkinson

A number of twin-spindle, multi-axis CNC mill-turning centres (Figure 3), some with Y-axis turret movement, have been purchased in recent years to add cost-effective, one-hit machining capability to the manufacture of complex rotational parts, streamlining their progress though the shop. It is the production of prismatic parts in the FMS, though, that is the core of the subcontractor’s lean manufacturing operation. Interested parties can see the system in operation over a live link on.

The efficiency with which a mixed schedule of work can be presented to the HMC spindles means that small batches are produced economically. Even ones and twos can be run off cost-effectively. Materials routinely processed at the Clitheroe facility range from bronzes, brasses and aluminium through to steel, stainless, duplex and monel.

Details available from: Clitheroe Light Engineering, Tel.: +44 (0)1200 422707, Fax: +44 (0) 1200 425517.