High precision mould and trim tooling
2008-08-25

Two CNC machining centres have been installed at Brookhouse's Darwen manufacturing site to meet demand for the company's high precision mould and trim tooling for composite components. Two further long bed, Correa CNC machining centres have been installed at Brookhouse's Darwen manufacturing site to meet increasing demand from the aerospace sector for the company's high precision mould and trim tooling for composite components The new machining centres complement existing 3- and 5- axis, large machining capability and reinforce Brookhouse's position as one of Europe's largest independent suppliers of mould and trim tooling for composite component manufacture The new installations, an A30/30 and A30/40, are both bed type, 3-axis milling machines, which are designed specifically for heavy duty, high chip removal applications. The A30/30 has a 3m x 1.2m x 1m working envelope and the A30/40 a 4m x 1.2m x 1m working envelope, so that Brookhouse can now offer more capacity on in-house, long bed 3- and 5-axis machining up to 5m. In addition, two high speed heads significantly increase the versatility of the 3-axis and 5-axis machines giving significant improvements on tooling finishing and metal removal rates, while further CNC machining capacity is available through Brookhouse's extensive, ISO 9000 approved sub-contracting network. All Brookhouse CNC machine tools enjoy full, integrated CATIA/CAD support. This enables Brookhouse to use its integrated Catia V5 design systems to provide programmes for machining and CMM inspection .Customer information can be received in a variety of formats and translated into machine code using RTM programming software. The increase in CNC manufacturing capacity continues a programme of focused capital investment, covering all aspects of Brookhouse's business from design and production of tooling to manufacture, assembly and finishing of composite components. It also complements the significant investments that the company has made in quality, people and process technology which will help Brookhouse to maintain its dedicated concentration on its core aerospace business to provide its customers with innovative and cost-efficient solutions to composites opportunities.