Tewkesbury-based Bowmill Group (www.bowmill.co.uk), which provides precision engineering, grinding and surface-processing services to the aerospace sector at its new £3.5 million ‘state of the art’ machining facility, has installed a Chiron FZ12 FX Magnum Vario single-spindle five-axis (simultaneous) vertical machining centre to help it supply critical landing-gear components to Safran Landing Systems for the Airbus A320/A321.

Supplied by the Engineering Technology Group (ETG — www.engtechgroup.com), the turn-key package came with a 64-tool (HSK) ATC and Renishaw probe system, plus a Fanuc robot with automated pallet system for ‘lights out’ production.

The machine is producing 1,500 units a month; and compared with Bowmill’s previous processing, the new machine is achieving a 9% improvement in accuracy across all 10 prismatic parts that have so far been proven out.

Managing director Nick Epps said: “The Tewkesbury facility is a resounding success, and we are now entering phase two as part of our commitment to supporting additional customers.

"We have spent more than £2.5 million with ETG on a range of Quaser, Nakamura and Chiron machines; this has not only given us significant additional capacity for current and future work but also allowed us to meet the aerospace sector’s demanding requirements.

“Seventeen jobs have already been created at our Tewkesbury facility, and we are only operating at 40% of its capacity, which means there are plenty of opportunities for attracting new business.”

ETG regional sales manager Simon Higgs said: “This Bowmill project is a great example of how we can work with our clients to develop turn-key packages that deliver exactly what they need and often combine automation, measurement technology and work-holding expertise.”