Customer Stories: Composite Machining for Components of Scale

Facteon has worked closely with a global customer to design, manufacture, build and install a CNC rotary axis. This machine will produce large, composite aerospace components. We specialise in the custom design and manufacture of precision equipment that supports the manufacturing process.

We’re passionate about enabling our customers to do what they do better. Here’s the story of how we’ve developed a bespoke piece of equipment to enable a global innovator to grow its business.

The customer is looking to increase its production to over three times the current rate. Utilising a Facteon designed and built machine, the customer will be able to achieve this ambitious production goal and scale its business.  

“This machine didn’t exist in market. I hadn’t seen anything like it before. We decided to work with Facteon as the company had a good reputation within our business and with our CEO personally”.

– Anonymous, Operations Director.

This project required Facteon to create a bespoke machine to complete the precision machining of carbon fibre components up to twelve metres in length. We worked closely with the customer to develop a flexible machine that’s fit-for-purpose.

Each customer is an expert in their product. As a custom equipment manufacturer, it’s our job to develop and implement the engineering technologies required to deliver on the customer’s vision. Facteon worked closely with the customer during the machinery design phase. To achieve the customer’s vision, we drew on dynamic technologies, expert custom machining and the customer’s knowledge of the materials to be processed by the machine.

“Facteon’s CNC machining capabilities provided us with confidence as we had certainty that the project would be completed by Facteon without outsourcing”.

Facteon drew on the resource of our in-house Machine Shop. With some of the largest milling machines in the country at our disposal, Facteon tradespeople machined every critical-to-quality component. Facteon’s vertical integration provides a distinct advantage to the customer. In creating high accuracy parts in-house, our tradespeople and design engineers worked closely throughout the process.

“Working with the Facteon team was a painless process. They understood what we wanted, were passionate about our product, and delivered”.

Following component manufacture, the machine was assembled, tested and pre-commissioned at Facteon’s facility. The installation on the customer’s site was smooth and the machine was successfully integrated with the existing machining centre. To ensure design intent and accuracy specifications were met, it was essential that the Facteon equipment integrated accurately with the existing machine.  

The install isn’t the end of the journey for Facteon and our customer. We’ll continue working with the customer to maintain machine health and ensure optimal performance.

Follow Facteon to learn more about this exciting project with a global creator and innovator.

Lawrence Owen

Lawrence Owen

Senior Design Engineer

Lawrence has a wealth of experience designing high volume production machinery for manufacturers across the globe. He’s also an experienced project manager committed to ensuring every project is delivered on-time and to specification.