These machines are an addition to the 31 CNC machines already in production across the company’s six manufacturing sites. Once installed, the machines will service F1 clients exclusively for the first six months. They will then be used for machining of metallic tooling, manufacture of components, composite moulds, wind tunnel tooling and jigs and fixtures. Installed in 2009 and 2010, Formaplex’s Metallic Division’s first two large 5-axis machines are capable of unmanned processing of parts up to 3m long. However, the company has since found that demand for these services has exceeded its capacity. Luke Newman, technical sales manager, said: “The requirement for 5-axis machining is increasing as component design becomes more complex. These machines will help us to meet this demand, and the 100 eVo, the first machine of its size in the UK, enables us to provide a unique opportunity. These new machines will become part of our 24/7 production processes, especially for the more complicated components.” www.formaplex.com
