Manufacturing prototypes and high quality components for hi-tech industries, Langstone Engineering of Havant, is one of the leading subcontractors on the UK's south coast. The ISO 9001:2000 registered company manufactures components for the formula one, automotive, aeronautical, defense and medical sectors and has the capability to conduct 3D digital CNC milling, 2D digital CNC turning and 5-axis CNC machining to produce mould tools, formers and jigs. Utilising high specification machine tools and cutting tools from TaeguTec, a recent development component for a F1 test facility for one of the UK based Formula 1 Racing Teams was manufactured more than 50% faster than predicted with the TaeguTec Bull Cutter.

The item manufactured from P20 tool steel is a major component of the support structure within the test facility.

Langstone engineers programmed the production of the part on its CAD/CAM package using 12mm button tools.

The total cycle time for the part was in excess of 50h.

Taegutec's technical sales engineer Iain Lacayo discussed the project with Langstone Engineering and commented: 'I promised Langstone that I could potentially half the cycle time that was predicted by the CAD/CAM package'.

'The 50 plus hour cycle time was no match for the Bull Cutter and the customer machined the component in just over 20h.' Lacayo added: 'The staff at Langstone Engineering was working to a predicted time that had been derived from its CAD/CAM package and cutting speeds and feeds based on competitor tooling'.

'Once the initial testing was complete - the Langstone machine shop reprogrammed the operation to accommodate our cutter.' The Bull Cutter is well known as a market leading cutting tool for the mould and die industry and this application undoubtedly proved this point.

Working at 1,433 rev/min with a 0.5mm depth of cut, the 40mm diameter Bull Cutter not only proved to reduce cycle times drastically, the cutter also improved surface finish and reduced tooling costs.