LEAD FEATURE LASER SHARP
The Synova
LCS305 is a
highly accurate
5-axis Laser
Microjet (LMJ)
machining
centre
asset for the MTC and its customers, notably the ability
to deliver the laser with a cooling waterjet, as it protects
the material from heat-related effects.
She explains that with many manufacturing processes
that use traditional laser technology, the issue of heat
affected zones can be a problem, but the machine
alleviates this and the micro-cracks because of the heat
dissipation properties of the waterjet. This machine also
alleviates the taper that is also associated with
traditional laser machining, by keeping the beam parallel
for longer within the part.
WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
The MTC has been developing a
partnership with Synova over the last
few years and this led to the
investment of the waterjet guided laser
machine.
The collaboration rst started when
the MTC carried out some work for an
aerospace jet engine manufacturing
“We can use it
for a multitude of
things and use it on
lots of different
customer, who was interested in validating
the capability of the LMJ process for drilling
materials”
and cutting composite materials and mandated MTC
to perform the tests.
After the work proved a success, the MTC spoke to
Synova last year about how they could expand their
collaboration and the Swiss machine manufacturer said
it was keen to collaborate further and use the MTC as a
UK base.
“We started looking at our portfolio of work and then
we explored what other applications we could also use
the machine for,” says Smith.
“We looked at the range of things it can be used for
and that aligned with the MTC strategy of supporting
high value manufacturing and impacting society; and we
can use the machine for aerospace applications,
ceramics in space applications, brake discs for high-end
Formula 1 racing and consumer goods.”
The waterjet guided laser machine is a versatile
machining centre that can bene t a wide range of
industrial applications, from tool manufacturing to
aerospace, automotive or medical device, and will
increase the project portfolio of the MTC.
Smith continues: “We can use it for a multitude of
things and use it on lots of different materials – like
CMCs and composites. For example, CMCs are being
used increasingly in new jet engine models to reduce
weight and reduce emissions. Other applications that
use CMCs, include heat shields for space and disc
brakes in racing.
“The other different materials where we will explore
and see opportunities is semi-conductors – so how do
we machine high precision materials for semiconductors,
for example. Others are tool manufacturing
and diamond tooling – as they are
quite expensive to machine and have
high production costs, so this may be
an area that the Synova technology can
support. Also general micromachining
and small scale machining, basically
anywhere you need high quality and low
thermal impact, are areas of interest.
“In particular, we are seeing a big push towards new
materials that can support lower carbon emissions and
there are always new machining challenges associated
with these. Typical improvements like light-weighting
where things like carbon bre composites and reinforced
metals are starting to be used are typical, and an area
we see having a bug impact. But we have also looked at
how the Synova LCS305 can help us support moves into
consumer goods and other areas.”
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
As part of the MTC installing the waterjet guided laser
machine, Synova will also work with the MTC for
support to help with machine development and look at
where the technology can bene t the entire UK
manufacturing industry.
Prior to investing, Smith says the MTC investigated
how the machine could be used for its other customers
outside of the aerospace industry and looked at what
wider bene ts the high-tech machine could have for UK
manufacturing as a whole.
“We have a lot of capability in simulation, machine
tools and digital sensors and Synova was looking to
expand the collaboration with the MTC so they can
make their machine even better and allow it to move
into new and different markets,” she explains.
Zryd, who leads the partnership for Synova, believes
the strong positioning of the MTC close to its industrial
customers, not only in the UK, but European Unionwide,
is “key to the success” of such a collaboration.
He adds that the UK is an interesting market for
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