Subcontractor invests GBP 2.5 million in FMS

August 2004

A GBP 2.5 million flexible manufacturing system based on five horizontal machining centres with a 72-pallet automation package produces batches down to a few off with short delivery times.

A GBP 2.5 million flexible manufacturing system based on five Mitsubishi MH 500 horizontal machining centres with a 72-pallet Fastems automation package installed at Kenard Engineering of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire has been made available for precision machining of subcontract components.

The new service means customers can take advantage of the latest flexible machining technology to produce frequent or repeat batches as small as two or three parts against short delivery times. The line of four-axis MH 500 machines with 650mm by 650mm by 800mm working envelopes and 12,000 rev/min spindles, has high levels of production flexibility and is currently machining high-specification defence, telecoms and aerospace components, aluminium castings and steel valve blocks using full in-cycle probing and sister tool replenishment.

The system was initially installed with three machines and 42 pallets in 2000 and was extended in late 2001 to five machines and 72 pallets. The Kenard Engineering 147,000ft2 site employs 46 people and has ISO 9001 2000 and British Aerospace approval standards. Kenard is involved with the contract supply chain management of complete projects and supplies the marine, oil, gas, aerospace, Formula 1, medical, telecom and defence industry sectors utilising high levels of production engineering expertise, quality control and manufacturing IT systems such as Pro-ENGINEER, Lycoms and Preactor scheduling software.

As Alan Harding, Operations Director, outlines: 'The nature of our business means we are prepared to invest in production facilities to service and support a contract on a collaborative basis, such as the recent GBP 50,000 installation of a carbide and specialist coatings facility to accommodate expansion of our oil and gas business contracts.