Helping to future-proof the supply chain

Edgecam says it is playing a vital role in aerospace supplier Murray Productions' manufacturing process, whether it carries out the milling and turning itself, or whether it needs wire erosion work from its subcontractor. Providing a range of cockpit instrumentation, fuel management components, electronic tags and helicopter transmission parts through a variety of manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, turning, thread rolling and pressing, Murray Productions' products are subjected to almost 100% inspection, so it is critical that they are high precision. Its Matchmaker and BostoMatic mills and lathes are all run with Edgecam and when it needs components to be manufactured by wire erosion, it knows that Edgecam will also drive its subcontractor, Beadle Precision Engineering's Fanuc machine.

“We've been using Edgecam and its predecessor for 15 years,” says Murray Productions' managing director Warren Bell. “We wonder now, how we ever managed without it. Previously, we would spend days programming at the machine, and not know we'd made an error until the tool crashed into the job.”

Both he and his machine programmer, Dave Arnold, particularly like the visual aspect of Edgecam. “The solid model helps, because instead of seeing a line move around the screen, we can actually see the chuck and the tool coming over and it gives us collision warnings. We have never had a collision since we started using Edgecam. Now we only spend a few hours a week on the program, giving us much more time to do other things. The operator follows the path right the way through on the computer screen, and he can liaise with the programmer and ask for amendments before the program is finalised.”

The company works mainly with aircraft quality aluminium, but also makes components in stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze and titanium, for clients such as GE Aviation, AgustaWestland Helicopters and Meggitt Sensing Systems. Dave Arnold says Edgecam is easy to learn and manage. “It's so simple to operate all our machines with it, it really saves me a lot of time.”

A point echoed by Barry Beadle, managing director of Beadle Precision. “When I need to cut up to 6” hardened steel for Murray Productions, the Edgecam programme enables me to cut the profiles using wire erosion swiftly and accurately. It saves time and money both for me and for Murray Productions.”

Dave Arnold says they have only recently started to accept dxf and stl files regularly, and he likes the way they are easily imported into Edgecam. “Previously, while some drawings came in by email, most of them were on paper, and I redrew them using Edgecam, which, again, is so easy.”

Murray Productions' website makes a special mention of Edgecam. “Our Edgecam intelligent solids based manufacturing system enables us to control CNC milling and turning centres with features including C axis milling and powered tools holders for back drilling, milling etc on the turning centres, with positional accuracy to 0.0002” in X Y and Z axis.”

Dave Arnold agrees with Warren Bell's assessment that using Edgecam has taken their business to the next level, not only in terms of the quality of products they provide to their clients, but also with the way it makes life easier for the machine programmer and operator.

“Edgecam increases machine tool utilisation, it reduces programming time and component cycle time, it eliminates programming errors and reduces scrap, it reduces machine tool prove out by graphically simulating the tool path, and it prevents collisions and expensive damage to machine tools.”

He adds that it also assists in generating component costing by accurate cycle calculations, and provides advanced rough and finish turning cycles, together with support for facing, boring and drilling in either canned cycle or longhand format. “Toolpath calculation takes into consideration the complete tooling insert and previously machined material, to avoid gouging and eliminate air cutting.”

As Murray Productions prepare to take on more work after the recession, Warren Bell says they may need to invest in new machines in the future. “With Edgecam we know we are completely future-proof. We can buy any new machine and be fully confident that Edgecam will be able to drive it just as easily and efficiently as it drives our current machines. It has paid for itself many times over, by saving us both time and money.”

www.edgecam.com