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Over £200,000 has been invested by Rodmatic Limited in production support of its Rodmatic Hytek, high technology machining operation and Rodmatic Multico high volume production business both based in Reading. This is in addition to over £600,000 invested since January 2007 to improve productivity, environmental and health and safety standards at the subcontract machinist.
The latest investment in a Dürr Compact 80C, fully programmable component cleaning system and a TESA-SCAN non-contact optical based measuring system will, according to managing director Brian Steatham: "Enable us to fully comply with the latest health and safety and environmental policies while significantly improving the service and supply of subcontract machined components to customers."
He followed on to say: "The cleaning system will ensure a consistent standard across all parts produced and in particular save additional work in removing trapped swarf particles while non-contact measurement will reduce inspection time and individual interpretation of results while creating easier report generation."
With the installation of the self-contained programmable wash, which has the capability to process 400 kg of parts per hour, two existing cleaning systems will be replaced plus local dips and deswarfing stations in the Multico multi-spindle auto shop that contains 38 machines. It will also support the Rodmatic Hytek precision machining operation with its mill/turn centres and sliding head autos. The company has also changed over to non-chlorinated neat oil which will reduce costs and oil consumption with less 'carry-over' on components.
Parts up to 75 mm diameter can be put through the new cleaning system with fully programmable cycles involving high power spray, immersion and rotation followed by vacuum drying. The Dürr Compact was finally selected following extensive trials on Rodmatic's components in Germany.
The TESA-SCAN 50, which compliments an existing Mitutoyo CMM, will be used for measurement of round parts up to 50 mm diameter by 275 mm long to check diameters, lengths, intersection points, radii, threads, forms, runouts, concentricity and roundness. It will be used for 'first-off' and on-going production with an automated cycle taking around 30 secs to perform.
Said Brian Steatham: "It can take hours to check and monitor parts from all six spindles on a multi-auto and this should now be a matter of course with the added advantage of detailed traceability and the automation of our SPC analysis. We shall also be providing detailed SPC reports with components as they are shipped to customers."
Rodmatic's Multico and Hytek operation produce around 1,500 different components a year in batches that range from 20 to continuous production. Altogether 55 people are employed contributing to sales of over £5 million a year.
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