Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine Volume 425 - January 2016 | Page 27

AEROSPACE MICROMETRIC terms of efficiencies, including fuel efficiencies for the plane itself and reducing carbon emissions. With regard to the military aerospace industry however, we're seeing challenges with regard to the complexity of the plane itself, especially with areas such as the electronics and optics involved in the plane itself. Most recently, there are two distinct challenges for each of those markets. “Our position in the aerospace industry is that, while we do laser cutting and supply laser cut parts, where we add value and are different from others is with our two key laser based services, laser welding and laser drilling and numerous other precision engineering process- “Within the civilian market specifically, we're seeing a driver in terms of efficiencies, including fuel efficiencies for the plane itself and reducing carbon emissions” es carried out in house, which very few subcontractors will actually offer. We're very much specialised in welding stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and nickel alloys. There's a definite drive in the aerospace industry for that kind of technology to, effectively improve the robustness of electronic boxes on the aircraft; but also, because many of them are aluminium, this also helps with improving the lightness of the aircraft and make it smaller.” Most specifically, aerospace clients often come to Micrometric with incredibly precise and inflexible requirements, such as the drilling of very small holes all the way from 30 to 50 microns, yet in frequencies of tens of thousands across very small components, and yet, at the same time must be produced at quick rates to keep production costs down. Not only does the company's ability to provide this without fault highlight its expertise within the sector, but also its dedication to providing exactly what the customer requires, when required. Key to being able to do this, alongside the company's wealth of expertise, is the high priority given to investment into new technologies, people and equipment so as best to preserve its position at the fore of industry innovation. As Chris MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING MAGAZINE 25