Joining its customers and founding members - GKN Aerospace, Airbus, AgustaWestland, Rolls-Royce and Vestas – the advanced cutting tool manufacturer has signed a tier two partnership agreement. “The NCC has over 5,000m2 of workshop space and additional dedicated composite research areas, open-plan offices, meeting rooms and teaching facilities,” stated SGS Carbide Tool’s managing director, Alan Pearce. “Our partnership provides us with access to these excellent facilities and will allow us to test cutting tool geometry and advanced coatings on new composite materials and component shapes.” Welcoming SGS Carbide Tool (UK) into the NCC Tom Hitchings, business development director at the NCC said: “We are very pleased to have a leading cutting tool supplier of the stature of SGS joining our ever increasing number of partner members. All of the cutting edge materials being developed at the NCC will require machining once they are in use, so early engagement of these specialist industries is essential.” Apart from leading advanced composites in the UK, the NCC leads the co-ordination of a strengthened network of regional centres of composites excellence; these centres work together to support, develop and lead all composite capabilities in the UK. The NCC provides direction and focus for fundamental research and collaborative links with UK universities, which members are able to influence and direct. It also helps to develop and co-ordinate training to support the skills base necessary for applying advanced and specialist composite technologies. The centre influences research funding bodies and acts as a focal point for composite funding, as well as a proven collaborative vehicle, in which all sectors and “Being a partner of the NCC will bring a number of benefits to SGS, including the opportunity to develop new cutting, drilling and finishing tools and machining strategies in conjunction with end users and university specialists,” concluded Pearce. “It provides us with access to state-of-the-art equipment, specialist software, knowledge and experience.” www.sgstool.com