Member Article

Milton Keynes precision engineer targets quality for F1 customers with CNC machine investment

Quality and precision performance are helping a Milton Keynes engineering firm expand its sales at the cutting edge of Formula 1.

Based in the heart of the UK’s Motorsport Valley, Goodman Precision Engineering is playing a key role, supplying parts and prototypes for companies working in the ultra-competitive world of F1.

The company has grown dramatically in the last few years, almost doubling its workforce to 25, as founder Mark Goodman has seen the workload ‘grow massively’, with turnover now around £2 million a year.

It has now decided to tap into its strong relationship with the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) to install a new Quaser MV184PH milling machine, equipped with Heidenhain CNC control.

“We needed to replace our old Hardinge Bridgepoint and spoke to ETG about what we needed,” said Mark, who has 30 years’ experience in Formula 1 and sub-contract machining.

“Since we started this business in 2011, we have built up a range of machines, including three Quasers. They are great, high quality machines and excellent value for money, especially operating them with Heidenhain controls as we do.

“We don’t really do mass production. Instead, we use them for prototyping, so it is all about quality and the Quaser delivers that in abundance.”

He continued: “Because of our particular needs, we are fitting the Kitagawa five-axis table we used with our old Hardinge Bridgeport to the new machine.”

“This investment is going to help us cater for our growing workload. While the budgets for firms haven’t grown hugely, the fall in the value of the pound against the dollar and euro has given them a big benefit when it comes to project spending. And, there are of course lots of new teams coming into Formula 1.”

Goodman Precision Engineering operates to the highest technical levels and this is reflected in its close partnership with Integral Powertrain, also based in the Milton Keynes area and an industry leader in developing new vehicle technology.

The firm, which is located on Potters Lane, is also involved in the latest work on KERS – the kinetic energy recovery systems that allow F1 cars to capture waste energy created under braking and transform it into electrical energy and stored to give the car an extra boost later in the race.

Jon Mannion, Regional Sales Manager at Engineering Technology Group, added: “Goodman has been an ETG customer for a number of years and the company came to us when it was looking to increase its milling capacity.

“Mark and his team are well aware of the qualities of Quaser machines, particularly with the TNC 640 controls from Heidenhain, 12,000 rpm BBT40 spindle and a X/Y/Z axis offering 1020/610/610 mm capacity.

“Although it comes with significant specification as standard, the machine has been designed to include Blum-Novotest twin probe measurement technology and a 48 tool side arm tool change, not to mention the addition of an industry-leading Filtermist unit for oil and mist extraction.

“It is competitively priced with excellent build quality and reliability, backed up by our industry-leading service.”

Engineering Technology Group (ETG) delivers highly productive turnkey solutions to customers involved in automotive, aerospace, domestic goods, high value engineering, medical and oil and gas.

Its portfolio of world class brand includes Bavius, Chiron, Hardinge Bridgeport, Nakamura, Quaser and STAMA.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .