WEC Group Ltd (www.wec-group.com) — one of the largest engineering and fabrication companies in the UK — has invested £250,000 in a new multi-spindle/multi-axis lathe in order to manage its increasing volume of orders for close-tolerance aerospace-industry components.

The company says that the Miyano ABX-64SYY is a welcome addition to the extensive line up of CNC machines at its 33,000ft² purpose-built facility in Blackburn.

With the ability to machine simultaneously at the left and right spindles using the upper and lower turrets, both featuring a Y-axis function, the machine can complete front and back machining of products with complex shapes
in a short space of time.

Director Steve Fitzpatrick says “The Miyano ABX-64SYY will greatly improve our lead times and enable us to work to the most demanding tolerance requirements presented by our aerospace customers. A number of key aerospace contracts will benefit directly from this addition.”

This investment follows the group’s recent AS 9100 Rev C certification, as WEC bids to build up its order book in the aviation, space and defence industries.

The group has invested heavily in its CNC machining, laser and water-jet cutting operations over the past 12 months as part of its on-going expansion plan.