WEC introduces third sliding head lathe
Engineering and fabrication company WEC Group Ltd has invested in a Citizen L32 multi-axis sliding head lathe as it continues to invest in the aerospace industry.
The state-of-the-art machine is the third addition to company’s sliding head cell at its 33,000 sq. ft. purpose built machining facility in Blackburn, Lancashire.
With 7 axis and the ability to mount up to 30 tools at any one time, the sliding head technology can achieve diverse shapes and sizes and will run for 24 hours a day in order to help improve on lead times and costs for existing and new customers.
This recent investment complements the Group’s existing Miyano ABX-64SYY machine which was commissioned at WEC Machining Ltd in 2016, as well as the Citizen M32 sliding head lathe commissioned in 2015, to manage its increasing volume of orders for close tolerance aerospace industry components.
Steve Fitzpatrick, Director and Shareholder of WEC Machining Ltd, said: “We have invested steadily over the past two years in this specific technology and are seeing huge benefits in the quality of components and improved delivery lead times.”
WEC Group recently achieved AS9100 Rev C certification for CNC machining in addition to its existing accreditations for laser and waterjet cutting.
Steve added: “The scope of our aerospace approval has now been increased to include 3, 4 and 5 axis machining and assembly work, and the sliding head cell is helping us cope with the increasing demand we are seeing from the Aerospace sector in particular.”
WEC Group has been heavily involved with the Aerospace industry for many years, supplying components, jigs and fixtures on a subcontract basis for various aircraft assembly facilities across the world.
The Group is now well underway with a six million pounds aerospace contract for an Airbus assembly factory in Germany, which was won based on the company’s extensive range of state-of-the-art technology and commitment to quality.