Metrology solutions supplier brings manufacturing in-house with first machine tool purchase

The Sempre Group, a provider of metrology products and services to industries such as aerospace, medical devices and automotive, has enhanced its ability to support customers by investing in a Hurco VM10i vertical machining centre. Recognising a growing demand from manufacturing companies for bespoke automation solutions in quality control, metrology and inspection, Sempre decided to start bringing production of its systems in-house.

High-quality fixturing of components under test is a crucial prerequisite to ensuring customers achieve traceable, reproducible and repeatable measurements on the shop floor. To meet the increasing demand for these fixtures from its user base, Sempre made a strategic investment in the VMC, a move that would allow it to design, manufacture, build and test them internally, rather than outsourcing.

Mike John, Head of Technical Delivery at Sempre, says: “The decision was driven by a desire to ensure faster component production and greater flexibility, subsequently addressing the challenges our customers face more effectively. After evaluating several machine tool providers, the Hurco VM10i emerged as the ideal production platform, due partly to the suitability of its working volume, which accommodates 90% of the fixturing components we make. The VMC’s speeds and feeds are appropriate for the materials we primarily machine, namely aluminium, stainless steel and engineering plastics, added to which the price of the machine was competitive.”

The experience of integrating the Hurco VM10i has been overwhelmingly positive for Sempre. Mike John and a colleague attended a three-day training course at Hurco’s High Wycombe technical centre covering conversational programming and machine operation, including tool setting.

The VMC has proven to be capable of holding the often-tight tolerances required by Sempre’s clients. Notably, the ease of use supports the rapid creation of parts, avoiding bottlenecks and reducing lead-times from what could typically be eight weeks when the work was subcontracted out to as little 30 to 60 minutes for a simple component.

Sempre primarily employs Autodesk Fusion for generating the frequently complex tool paths before transferring programs to the Hurco. The process shortens the design-to-reality timeline and is proving invaluable for the manufacturer’s operations. Conversational programming at the Hurco machine’s proprietary WinMax control is employed to edit a program if modifications are necessary, or perhaps for simply preparing a cycle to drill an array of holes into a plate. Such interventions are described by Mike John as a 5 to 10 minute job.

The VM10i’s capabilities align with Sempre’s need for producing accurate and aesthetically pleasing components reliably. Furthermore, discussions with Hurco revealed the potential for future machine upgrades, such as the addition of cobot (collaborative robot) automation, ensuring the adaptability and longevity of the investment.

The integration of the VMC at Sempre’s Gloucester facility has already yielded tangible benefits. Response times have improved and the quality of manufactured components has increased now that production is handled in-house. The ability to prototype and develop new fixturing solutions rapidly enables faster iteration and testing of complex assemblies, shortening delivery timescales and often enabling the completion of projects ahead of schedule.

Hurco provided an attractive finance package, mitigating some of the financial risks associated with the initial capital expenditure. Looking ahead, having the Hurco VM10i positions Sempre to support its customers more quickly and efficiently with turnkey solutions, including smart fixtures and other products, while also paving a smooth path towards future advancements in five-axis machining.