Techno economy tooling line creates
an affordable start for novice router users

Techno Inc. CNC Cutting Tools has announced the start of a New Economy Tooling Line of CNC router bits for use by novice CNC router users that want to reduce the cost of replacement tools while they are gaining knowledge on how to cut properly. These hand-picked tools include a variety of Flat and Ball End Mills that are available in both standard and long lengths.

"Our new economy tooling line is ideal for any novice CNC router operator who has just begun to cut on a machine. They help adjust to the "learning curve" more efficiently by giving users the peace of mind when it comes to cost," says CNC Cutting Tools Sales Manager, Ray Jakas. "Once they feel comfortable using the economy tools, users can purchase more expensive, higher quality and longer life versions without fear of breaking them midway through a project." 

Currently there are nine different cutting edge length options ranging from 3/32" up to 3" available through the Techno CNC Cutting Tools eStore. For further information, view website: http://www.techno-isel.com/tooling/Economy_Tooling.htm  All are made of solid carbide, making them very resistant to heat while keeping a sharp cutting edge; and although these affordable router bits generally have a shorter lifetime than their higher quality counterparts, they can still be used on plastic, wood, solid surfaces, foam and acrylic.

For further information on the New Economy Tooling Line or any CNC Cutting Tool products, view website: http://www.techno-isel.com/tooling   Refer to next page

Economical high volume photo etching is a reality

Photo Etching is known for being a prototyping technique and a manufacturing method for short to medium volume requirements of precision metal parts but few would consider the technology for volume parts manufacture. Precision Micro is determined to correct this misconception as Mick Taylor, Precision Micro's Market Development Manager explains.

Refer to picture: When the demand for a component increases significantly Precision Micro are able to transfer production seamlessly to the high volume plant.

"Photo Etching is a proven manufacturing technology that, when scaled up, can be very competitive with stamping, for producing high volume precision metal components. Precision Micro has invested heavily in what is believed to be the largest, high volume, contract etching facility in Europe with a capacity to process over 30 tonnes of material per week."

The high volume facility is located close by Precision Micro's new Birmingham production plant. It uses the same technology but there, the similarity ends. Whereas the new plant has been designed for flexibility with an ability to meet all quantity requirements from prototypes to large volume, the high volume facility churns out components by the million, round the clock, with certain machines even being dedicated to the production of a single specific part.

"When the demand for a component increases significantly we are able to transfer production seamlessly to the high volume plant and in this way remain competitive with stamped parts," continued Taylor. "Produced by the same method and using the same tooling, the component design and quality remains consistent whereas a move to press tooling invariably requires some design modifications that can impact on subsequent assembly."

Unlike with press tooling, Precision Micro claims that design modifications can be made during a production run without losing any production time and at very little additional cost… simply a modified phototool.

A further benefit of the high volume machines is reported to be their ability to accommodate large sheet sizes. Individual components up to 610mm x 1500mm can be produced thanks to the larger tunnel dimensions of the high volume machines, laying waste to a further myth that etched parts have to be small.

PRECISION MICRO is the UK's leading micro-components manufacturer
PRECISION MICRO was formed as the result of a merger between two of Europe's leading micro-components manufacturers (Microponents Ltd and Micro Metallic Ltd) bringing together both common and complementing manufacturing technologies under a single banner. The new Company has more than 60 years collective experience in providing economical, rapid, bespoke, precision engineered components to a wide range of industries including Electronics, Communications, Medical, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, and Precision Engineering on a worldwide basis.

PRECISION MICRO is characterised by its innovative approach to business leadership  and its technology. The Company takes pride in its ability to push the boundaries of its manufacturing technologies to provide customers with unique, cutting edge solutions that are differentiated by size, function, performance and quality.

The two companies that have formed PRECISION MICRO can boast a number of innovative initiatives and industry 'firsts' over the years including: first to develop photo etching outside the US and the first company in Europe to utilise CAD and laser photo plotting to generate photo tooling.

The Company is considered to be unique in its manufacturing technology offering, able to offer Photo Etching, EDM Wire Erosion and Electroforming, complemented by a wide range of post assembly and finishing techniques. However it is PRECISION MICRO's ability to combine these techniques to produce cost effective, high precision, engineering solutions that really sets it aside from 'the rest'.

Where conventional machining technologies cannot cope; tight tolerances, measured in microns, are the order of the day; complexity is inherent in the design; the scale of component or feature is minuscule and volume requirements vary from individual prototypes to many millions… PRECISION MICRO becomes the natural choice for precision components.

For further information, e-mail: westonl@precisionmicro.com    Refer to page 97

Motor Laminations… A new approach

Precision Micro, Europe's leading photo etching company, is adopting a radically different approach to the manufacture of custom laminations and stacks for use in high end motors for Aerospace, Medical, Motor Sport and Military/Defence applications. These stacks are finding favour in high speed and large diameter applications, usually in small to medium volumes.

The Company is producing the individual laminates by high precision etching instead of the conventional stamping. The digital tooling used in the etching process enables prototypes to be produced in hours rather than the months it could take to manufacture a press tool. Press tools for large diameter laminations can be prohibitively expensive whereas the digital tooling is extremely low cost. 

Small volume and complex or large laminations have been profiled traditionally by laser cutting or wire erosion but Precision Micro claims its etching route has significant benefits over such processes.

Selection of individual laminates.

The Company utilises a special resist for the etching process, a dielectric material that is also used to fuse the laminations together under heat and pressure, obviating the need for staking or riveting with their potential for unwanted conductivity.

Precision Micro's stacks are claimed to be exceptionally accurate and concentric with tolerances of 50 microns or better achieved over a 400mm diameter. They are smooth with clean, burr-free edges to eliminate production problems during winding.

The Company can produce laminations from a wide range of conductive materials including electrical steels, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, and stainless steel in both standard and thin gauges. 

If you're looking for rotors, stators, poles, segments or linears in prototype to medium quantities, Precision Micro has the experience and expertise to meet your requirements… using its "New approach".

Precision Micro in profile
Precision Micro is the UK's leading micro-components manufacturer. With a turnover of €17m the Company operates from two manufacturing locations in the UK, both of which are within the West Midlands area.

Precision Micro was formed as the result of a merger between two of Europe's leading micro-components manufacturers (Microponents Ltd and Micro Metallic Ltd) bringing together both common and complementing manufacturing technologies under a single banner. The new Company has more than 60 years collective experience in providing economical, rapid, bespoke, precision engineered components to a wide range of industries including Electronics, Communications, Medical, Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, and Precision Engineering on a worldwide basis.

The Company is considered to be unique in its manufacturing technology offering, able to offer Photo Etching, EDM Wire Erosion and Electroforming, complemented by a wide range of post assembly and finishing techniques. However it is Precision Micro's ability to combine these techniques to produce cost effective, high precision, engineering solutions that really sets it aside from 'the rest'.

For further information, e-mail: westonl@precisionmicro.com   Refer to page 97