Established in 1990 as a one-stop provider of cutting tools, Southampton-based BJ Associates now offers a comprehensive variety of tooling services, including regrinding.

To keep up with the demand for a quick turn-round, the company recently invested in a GX7 tool and cutter grinder from ANCA (www.anca.com).

Managing director Jeff Hunt says: “The growing demand for the tools that we manufacture in-house and for our regrind services — along with the fact that we have gained several contracts from aerospace customers to supply and refurbish cutting tools for use on composites and carbon fibre — prompted us to search for a high-quality tool and cutter grinder.

Having considered the alternatives and been persuaded by a very impressive demonstration, we were happy to place an order for the GX7.

“Since its trouble-free installation and our brief training period, the new machine has been handling a wide variety of production and regrinding applications with very high tool accuracy, while delivering excellent surface finish characteristics.

"In addition, its easy-to-use advanced programming features will enable us to modify cutting geometries when developing new composites and carbon-fibre tooling.”