Techni-Grind Preston Ltd, a supplier of precision tool regrinding services to the aerospace industry, has installed its sixth Walter high-specification CNC tool and cutter grinder to increase capacity levels.

The Helitronic Vision 400L (www.walter-machines.com) with integrated robot handling and wheel changer can process tools up to 315mm in diameter, 420mm long and weighing up to 50kg.

Its rapid traverse rates are up to 50m/min, and it has linear and radial resolutions of 0.0001mm and 0.0001deg respectively.

Formed in 1991, Techni-Grind (www.techni-grind.com) has enjoyed steady growth by providing a comprehensive regrinding service to the aerospace industry.

The ISO 9002-accredited company is an approved Tier One supplier to BAE Systems, whose site at nearby Samlesbury is visited daily by Techni-Grind to ensure that a planned programme of regrinds is maintained.

The company also services sites at Brough and Barrow-in-Furness as part of BAE’s SupplierExcellence Programme.

Managing director David Higham said: “We are continually processing batches of tooling — HSS and carbide end mills and slot drills included — to very high and guaranteed standards for BAE Systems.

"The on-going process is made even more challenging by the highly technical nature of the tools, typically incorporating features like cam relief clearances, unequal index of flutes and constantly varying core diameters.

"The machining of these complex geometries is overcome by the expert programming technology of our Walter tool bgrinders.”

Techni-Grind’s machines are focused on regrinding a range of HSS and carbide end mills, slot drills, form cutters, reamers and conventional flute drills.

“We are known for our quality service, competitive prices and on-time delivery. The industry is forever changing, but through continual improvement — via capital investment, for example — we aim to be the number-one choice for our customers, both now and in the future.”