So-called drill wander is a common and frustrating problem in many deep hole drilling operations.

So long as the drilling machine is set up correctly, the drill should – in theory – both enter and exit from the centre point. In practice, however, this rarely happens on deep holes; defined as any hole with a depth to diameter ratio greater than 10 to 1.

This is a company that was set up for UK manufacturers to come together, to innovate as allies and to build networks closer to home.

And we are loving their new term for our wonderful engineering and manufacturing heroes – collaborationeers!

How perfectly this describes us all after the events and amazing achievements we’ve witnessed across the widest range of businesses and industries in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
For the last few months, we have been enjoying and applauding this new ethos of collaboration over competition - and this fabulous concept gives us the platform to harness the recent enthusiasm and recognition for UK manufacturers and manufacturing across the UK.

The last few months have been a time of seismic change for manufacturing industries across the globe. Despite the dark days of uncertainty, beams of hope have illuminated a future filled with potential. Here are some stand-out moments that show how companies have adapted to change.

Are you concerned about the practicalities of re-opening or continuing to trade safely after lockdown? If you’re feeling bewildered about the dates, the regulations, and the potential impact that everything will have on your business, you’re not alone.

Like most people in the UK, we breathed a sigh of relief last week. Although most restrictions are still in place, the atmosphere has changed. Businesses are becoming more optimistic and forward-looking, and are springing into action again across the country. It’s great to see. 

During a tough time for many businesses – ourselves included – it’s often the little things that help us see the bigger picture and sustain our optimism about the future.

Some of you may recall the new Pinacho STH 400 flatbed CNC lathe we announced on our blog back at the end of January? (Just three months past but it seems so much longer ago now!)

Well, the good news is we have recently had the brand-new Pinacho installed and calibrated at our workshop by the T W Ward CNC team. Despite us expecting delays due to the lockdown, the STH 400 Horizontal Turning Centre was delivered on schedule and assembled on site while maintaining full social distancing practices! It’s a great achievement for the T W Ward CNC team and we are extremely proud of our new investment.

There are some occasions in life when you need absolute confidence in the equipment around you. Whether you’re boarding an aircraft for a sunshine destination or being wheeled into an operating theatre in hospital, the equipment you rely on needs to be nothing short of excellent in every respect. In the aerospace industry, tubes, which are generally used in airframes, engines and instrumentation, must be sturdy yet light and able to withstand the most challenging of conditions. In medicine, tubes must offer the utmost reliability, ready to support the most complex of medical procedures without causing additional risks to patient safety.

Trepanning is a machining technique for drilling large diameter holes in materials, particularly where there is a requirement to retain the solid core or when tolerances are not particularly tied up.

Outsourcing – already a familiar concept in IT and payroll – became a popular option in manufacturing following the 2008/9 recession, and the trend has persisted since, with many engineering companies recognising that outsourcing can bridge the skills gap as well as keeping costs low, improving turnaround times and boosting profit margins.

Honing is the precision machining process in which a very fine surface on a workpiece is produced using an abrasive tool. High quality honing of hydraulic cylinders is essential, as the effective operation of the pistons depends on the cylinder having a very fine surface finish, which can also prevent premature wear of moving components. Honing also creates a secure seal around a hydraulic cylinder, providing extended life and preventing costly leaks.