In an inspiring turn of events, the UK's manufacturing sector has made a significant leap in the global rankings, overtaking France to claim the eighth position. This achievement, highlighted in the latest 'Manufacturing – The Facts' report from @MakeUK, is not just a statistic; it represents the resilience, innovation, and continuous growth of our sector.

Drilling is, in simple terms, the process of creating a hole in materials using a variety of drilling tools to vary the size or depth of the hole. In precision engineering, however, drilling is more complex, yet it’s a common and important process that uses advanced, specialist machinery to deliver outstanding accuracy and speed. The type of equipment best suited to drilling depends on several factors, so it’s vital to select the right technology for the job. Here is an outline of the five main drilling technologies, the majority of which we can provide here at Hone-All.

At Hone-All, we leverage our expertise and hard-earned experience in CNC machining to provide specialised manufacturing services across a range of industries. Our capabilities cover a wide spectrum of precision engineering techniques, including Deep Hole Boring, Deep Hole Drilling, Honing, CNC Turning and more!

Since its inception in October 2016, the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP) has been seen as a catalyst for job creation and business expansion in the UK's manufacturing sector. Over the years, the programme has supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across England, resulting in the creation or preservation of more than 12,435 jobs.

Injection moulding is a widely used manufacturing process in industries as varied as automotives, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food production. To produce high-quality injection mould tools, precision drilling of deep holes with a high length-to-diameter ratio is often necessary, which is why CNC gundrilling is often chosen.

The UK has agreed an ambitious plan to tackle climate change by achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The industrial manufacturing sector, which has a key role to play in reducing the emission of GHGs, has made rapid progress in this area in the past three decades. In 2021, the manufacturing industry emitted approximately 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, a fall of 40 per cent since 1990.

Short lead times have always been enticing for customers but, in recent years, manufacturers have found it harder to offer fast turnaround times. The global pandemic, war in Europe, shortages of raw materials, and spikes in consumer demand have redefined manufacturing timetables, which is why it’s more important than ever to outsource specialist precision engineering to reduce waiting times without compromising on product quality.

The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving in response to technological advances, changing consumer expectations, and global market dynamics.

With the rise of global shipping routes, international communication networks, and digital technologies, it is unsurprising that many businesses viewed overseas markets as a powerful opportunity to reduce costs and improve profits.

The UK manufacturing industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, but positive signs suggest a promising future is on the horizon.