Clifton Precision Archive: A Preserved Plant Record
The following record preserves the historical capabilities and equipment of Clifton Precision Tools Limited as documented in its original plant excerpts. It is presented for archival reference, not as a current vendor profile.
Laser Scanning and 3D Data Capture
The plant record notes an investment in a Laser Arm Scanner, a portable device that offered a wide range of services. This technology was employed for reverse engineering, enabling the creation of accurate digital models of existing components, re-design and re-engineering of parts, and capture of hand-worked changes for CAD. The scanner also supported quality inspection by comparing digital models with CAD to ensure products met intended design and performance characteristics within specified tolerances.
Additional applications included analysis, where complete accurate FEA or CFD analysis could be performed on actual parts digitally, assessing true performance characteristics against CAD model-based analysis. Custom manufacturing was enabled for mass customization, rapid prototyping, and manufacture of unique individualized products. Industrial design incorporated unique shapes from natural or hand-sculpted forms, while visualization expressed complex 3D models digitally for collaboration. Digital archiving recorded physical characteristics of designs or natural objects when CAD files did not exist or accurate 3D representation was required.
Software and Design Tools
The preserved record lists a suite of software tools used in the design office. NC Graphics toolmaker provided 2D/3D software for tool design and 3D surface manipulation. Machining Strategist was a state-of-the-art 3D machining package. Autocad 2000 served as industry standard software, and Rhino 3D was used for solid modelling and 3D surface manipulation. Optris virtual press simulation solver software supported die development and stress analysis, while Ficture provided a graphical user environment manager for use with the above. PAM DieMaker offered interactive die addendum creation software for quick modification within the stress analysis software. Renishaw 3D scan software was used for full reverse engineering capabilities.
CNC Machining Centres
The plant record documents six CNC Hurco machining centres with Ultimax software and a travel range of 1700 x 600 x 500. One Zayer CNC machining centre with Heidenhain 426 control had a travel range of 4000 x 2500 x 1500. One Fil CNC machining centre with Heidenhain 426 control had a travel range of 2000 x 1000 x 1000. All CNCs were fully networked and linked to the CAD CAM office for direct data transfer, using a DXF translator for programming direct from tool drawings. 2/2.5D wiring and sparking used the NC graphics programming system.
The record also notes five CNC Charmilles Tec Robofil wire machines, including models 2000, 4000, 6000, and the new 510, with capacities ranging from 320x220x350 to 700x400x400. One CNC Charmilles Tec Roboform sparker machine had a capacity of 450x350x400. One fast hole sparker had a capacity of 350x250x215 with a tube range of 0.3 to 3.0. The services listed include design, toolmaking, CNC machining, electrode discharge machining, project management, software, machining, wiring and sparking, tooling tryout, and management.
Large and Heavy Machining Capacity
The preserved record highlights large heavy machining capacity, referencing Nicolas Correa Machine Tools and CNC milling. Small machining with large machining capacity was available with 24-hour machining capacity on eight Hurco machining centres, with capacity up to 1.7m x 0.6m x 0.5m. A set-up specialised in one-offs, bespoke developments, and small batch work, with extensive experience in aerospace materials, plastics, polystyrene, model board, tool steels, wood, and marble. Markets serviced included aerospace, national heritage, medical, automotive, motorsport, white goods, and leisure. This was used in conjunction with the Laser Arm Scanner for rapid prototyping.
CNC milling and heavy machining provided the backbone of services. 80% of all work was undertaken on the range of Hurco machining centres or for the aerospace market on heavy milling machines. There was a limit of 35T on the Zayer milling machine, limited only by the crane above it, and a machining envelope of 4m x 2.5m on both the Zayer and the Wadkin. Plans were in place to integrate a new 5m x 3m Nicolas Correa FP 40 with 5-axis drilling capability. Purpose-built facilities accommodated large machines, offering unlimited weight on the machine table, a large machining area up to 4.5m x 3m, 24-hour heavy machining capacity, and a lifting capacity of 35 tonnes. Extensive experience in heavy machining covered castings, aluminium, tool steel, and a variety of aerospace materials. Markets included aerospace, automotive, and building supplies.
Zayer Machining and Toolmaking
The record includes a page dedicated to Zayer machining, specialising in press tool manufacturers. It lists six CNC Hurco centres with Ultimax software and a travel range of 1700 x 600 x 500, one Zayer machining CNC centre with Heidenhain 426 control and a travel range of 4000 x 2500 x 1500, and one Fil CNC machining centre with Heidenhain 426 control and a travel range of 2000 x 1000 x 1000. All CNCs were fully networked and linked to the CAD CAM office for direct data transfer, using a DXF translator for programming direct from tool drawings.
The facility was fully equipped with highly skilled personnel to develop and produce a wide range of press tools from single operation to multi-stage progression tooling. Full try-out facilities coped with tools ranging in size up to a lifting capacity of twenty tonnes. A complete range of high-precision electrode discharge machines included five Charmilles Robofil sparker eroder centres, accompanied by a Charmilles Roboform EDM sparker and a Charmilles deep hole sparker eroder. A full try-out facility was available for samples and first-off tool runs, with three presses ranging up to 400 tonnes in capacity with coil feed. A 1000-tonne try-out press was shortly to be added. Full component development for transfer tools, progression tools, and panel tooling was offered, using the latest software OPTRIS, virtual press simulation software for development and tool analysis. A moving column CNC milling machine had a 5 x 3 metre table and a 4 x 2.5 x 1.25 metre cutting area.