Ongoing investment by UK mould and die maker in 'state-of-the-art' machine tools and software, to serve European automotive customers, approaches GBP 1 million, .
Mason Pinder Toolmakers has invested more than GBP 700,000 in 'state-of-the-art' machine tools at Doncaster to manufacture injection mould tooling for the European automotive industry. The two principal machine tools included in this investment, an ONA spark eroder and a Mecof 5-axis high speed milling machine, allow rapid precision machining of individual injection mould tools up to 25 tonnes in weight. This enables Mason Pinder to make tools and dies for vehicle bumpers, fascias, wheel arch liners and other trim parts up to 4 metres in length.

It also allows full envelope moulding tools for washing machines, widescreen TVs and other large consumer durables, and 'street furniture' such as wheelie bins.

The new capacity, allied to an automated factory management system, gives Mason Pinder capacity to lead European toolmakers.

The ONA, for instance, is claimed to be the largest in Europe and can machine two large tools simultaneously, using fully automatic control and tool changing.

'Over the last three years we have transformed our capability,' says Mason Pinder technical director Ken Barrass.

'Our 'direct to steel' automated factory management system allows us to cut lead times substantially, as well as enabling very rapid modifications to be built in, sometimes within hours rather than days.' In addition to the two large machines, Mason Pinder has also invested more than GBP 200,000 in the past two years to provide product design and improved tool design capability using 'state of the art' CAD/CAM software.