Below are the current list of partners directly supporting / involved with the Centre. We are however constantly seeking to increase active participation from organisations with interest in micro-machining in particular and manufacturing in general.
The Agie Charmilles Group is acknowledged as the world leader in electro-discharge machining (EDM) systems under the Agie and Charmilles brand names respectively. Their product range includes a broad series of EDM wire and die sink solutions catering to the manufacture of press tools, plastic & metallic parts as well as high precision components across a whole range of industries.
Camtek develops and distributes advanced CADCAM software under the PEPS brand name for the programming of turning, milling, EDM and multi-axis laser machines. The wire erosion module includes it?s own fully functional 2D CAD geometry solution. This enables standard features and shapes such as rectangles, ellipses etc. to be easily produced, while any 2D geometry can be created using PEPS CAD tools. Additionally, existing model data can be imported using industry standard file formats.
Com-met was the result of a partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the production and tooling sectors which was formed with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of UK industry on the world stage. This initiative brought together about 14 trade associations, whose members were predominantly SMEs.
The GTMA is the engineering association representing UK companies involved in the toolmaking (mould, die, press tools), metrology, precision machining, tooling technologies and rapid product development businesses. The GTMA supports its members by providing services such as marketing, technical advice and relevant industry information in order to promote their companies and products to customers.
World leaders in the technology of high speed machining (HSM), Matsuura supplies state of the art high speed machining centres to wide array of customers spanning the aerospace, automotive, electronics, telecommunications, medical applications and mould & die industries. Their product range includes vertical & horizontal machining centres, 5-axis capable machines, multi pallet systems as well as their new linear motor drives for increased accuracy and speed.
Formerly the Machine Tool Technologies Association (MTTA), the MTA is a national organisation representing companies involved in the machine tool and manufacturing technology industry. The association helps its members (majority of whom are SMEs) to promote and sell their products locally and internationally, and thus maintain the country's competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.
Companies who are collaborating in on-going micro-machining projects with the Machining Research Group include:
