Letchworth-based Maztech Precision Engineering (MPE - www.mp-e.co.uk) — founded six years ago by Wayne Bouchier — specialises in multi-axis CNC machining for customers in the aerospace, automotive and Formula One (F1) markets.

With many Formula One (F1_ teams heavily involved in coronavirus-related projects, MPE recently won an order to produce 7,500 aluminium tube manifold components, which have been occupying the company’s four Mazak machining centres.

The latest of these machines is a Mazak VariAxis i-300 AWC five-axis machine with 32 pallets and a storage capacity for 145 tools, allowing it to undertake continuous round-the-clock production — essential in the race to produce ventilators.

Alongside the importance of this machine, Mr Bouchier highlights the role played in this project by HyperMill CAM software from Bicester-based Open Mind Technologies UK Ltd (www.openmind-tech.com).

“The tube manifold is a relatively simple three-axis part, but with such a large quantity ordered, we needed to design new fixturing that would allow multiple set-up machining.

“Using the Linear Pattern feature in HyperMill, we have been able to effectively ‘copy and paste’ the machining cycle from one position to the next — and not just across each fixture, but also across all of our machining centres. Moreover, on one of our machines, we now have 16 WNT ZSG4 vices with fixturing set up for non-stop machining.”