Automated micro-ECM for air bearing production

"This project will investigate and test a new production method to fabricate fine features of advanced bearing slideway and spindle components. The developed production technology will enable the collaborating partners to produce leading performance precision motion slideways and spindles. These slideways and spindles will be high value and performance enhancing elements of the Lead Partners machine tool product range. The new systems will replace those presently imported by the Lead partner from the US and in themselves can represent future UK products.

In the longer term, the developed production technology could represent the technology basis for a new range of micro-machine tool products. The partners will explore the broader commercial opportunities of the created process technology."