Worcestershire-based Mettis Aerospace (www.mettis-aerospace.com) has invested in new machinery and equipment for its ‘state of the art’ facility in Redditch, which has gone from groundworks to being fully equipped in less than six months.

Redditch-based Heller Machine Tools Ltd and Alcester-based Seco Tools (UK) Ltd have been working with Mettis Aerospace to develop a system that uses the latest technologies to deliver advanced levels of automation, enabling the company to reduce lead times and costs for its customers.

The new machinery is a combination of four- and five-axis horizontal machining centres with Fastems Flexible Manufacturing System units that can load and unload them automatically, enabling them to work unmanned 24/7.

Also integrated into the facility is an automated assembly line that includes light scanners, vision systems and in- process gauging.