Public concerns about the state of the environment have soared in recent years and, at Hone-All, we recognise that we have a role to play in protecting the Earth in any way we can.

Nearly one-quarter of carbon emissions are produced by manufacturing businesses worldwide and, while the CO2 emissions in the UK have fallen by 10% in the past year, there’s clearly a long way to go.

The UK has a proud history of producing some of the best quality defence equipment in the world, from fighter aircraft to missiles and machine guns. As one of the most dynamic manufacturing industries, which, together with aerospace, accounts for over £12 billion in output, the defence sector is well-positioned to support the UK economy as it rebounds from the slump caused by the global pandemic.

Industrial rollers are key components in many types of machinery, particularly in the printing and packaging industry. They are predominantly used to move a variety of product through complex processing equipment but also provide essential support when material is moved through a machine, preventing it from becoming out of place, dislodged, or jammed.

At Hone-All, we have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to tackle complex projects in a range of sectors. As a family-run business that prides itself on teamwork, collaboration, and communication, we’re not constrained by muted ambition; instead, we invest in our teams and technology to ensure the highest quality service for our customers in diverse areas of industry, from aerospace and pharmaceuticals to defence and motorsport.

In the 2020-2021 season, the global audience watching Formula 1 reached 433 million viewers, making it one of the world’s most popular sports. Yet few people realise that each F1 car is constructed from an astounding 80,000 separate components, making each vehicle a compressed 720kg package of hydraulic systems, mechanical devices, carbon, tyres, and fuel!

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology is at the forefront of the precision machining industry, yielding greater control, more accurate results, and a reduced need for manual intervention during the manufacturing process.

Precision engineering methods have been at the heart of manufacturing for nearly 200 years, since the first mills were designed to offer a faster, more cost-effective way to create new products. This ‘Sustainable Revolution’ is witnessing a shift towards cleaner, renewable energy sources across the manufacturing sector, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power.

We are looking forward to welcoming a new Pinacho ST285 CNC lathe to our workshop here at Hone-All, after accepting a quote from C Dugard Ltd, of East Sussex.

This is an exciting investment for us because it is the first CNC lathe we’ve purchased with a C-axis. The additional axis gives us the capacity to drill and tap on PCDs and machine keyways/slots in-house, increasing the range of services we can offer. Previously we had to either subcontract this aspect of our work to a trusted supplier (with customer permission of course), or request the customer to arrange it themselves after machining – something we were always uncomfortable with because it meant we couldn’t offer an end-to-end service.

A wide range of materials are used in CNC machining, making it one of the most versatile methods in modern precision manufacturing. Most metals are compatible with CNC machining, alongside several plastics and polymers, and even certain foams. Your choice of material hinges on the purpose of the component, the environment in which it will be used, it’s stress load, and your production budget.

Precision engineering is now one of the most widely used techniques in manufacturing, responsible for manufacturing the majority of everyday items, alongside specialist and precision components used in engines, pumps, and machinery.