Aerospace Subcontractor Takes-Off With hyperMILL®
Automatic Industrial Machines Ltd | Clevedon, United Kingdom
Moving more parts from our 3-axis machines to 5-axis. To improve cycle times by upwards of 50%, reduced programming times, and improved confidence, surface finishes and product quality.
When AIM Ltd strategically changed its business model from large production runs to intricate batch manufacture, the company invested in a series of 5-axis CNC machining centres and CAD/CAM software from OPEN MIND Technologies to support its aspirations.
A prestigious aerospace subcontractor
The Clevedon based company has been involved in aerospace manufacture since receiving its first order from Airbus in 1984, when the business was producing specialist machines and jigs & fixtures for a variety of industry sectors. The opportunity to work with Airbus changed the company’s focus; it has now evolved into a prestigious aerospace subcontractor operating out of five units and employing 40 staff.
“hyperMILL® has enabled us to improve cycle times by upwards of 50%, reduced programming times, and improved confidence, surface finishes and product quality.“
Rob Kendall, Managing Director
Production times are up to 50% faster
In July 2009 AIM acquired two seats of OPEN MIND’s hyperMILL® system and with new package updates imminent; AIM sent its staff on training days in September. Despite staff still being in the familiarity stage, progress is impressive as Managing Director Rob Kendall says: “Our five programmer’s confidence in hyperMILL® and our 5-axis capability is growing and we are moving more parts from our 3-axis machines to 5-axis daily. Our production times are up to 50% faster on our 5-axis machines and whilst set-ups and the elimination of second operations is a major contributor, it is hyperMILL® that has enabled us to move parts across with confidence.”
Remarkable collision avoidance
“We run one shift with lights out machining gradually increasing. This rise in unmanned machining is credit to the confidence in hyperMILL® and its remarkable collision avoidance. hyperMILL® has enabled us to improve cycle times by upwards of 50%, reduced programming times, and improved confidence, surface finishes and product quality. It has also drastically cut finishing operations like deburring,” concludes Mr Kendall.
Gallery
In July 2009 AIM acquired two seats of OPEN MIND’s hyperMILL® system.
OPEN MIND supplied post-processors for all machines.
Customer Story
Automatic Industrial Machines Ltd
Clevedon, UK