As you know at wilco we are a turned parts manufacturer, National Manufacturing day is here to help people learn obout the diverse and skilled sectors of manufacturing.
So to celebrate… we are sharing a little bit of history.
Here are some pictures of the Engineers year book for 1942. It is a 2852 page book which we had in our storage room so at one point was probably on the factory floor helping out the engineers in the factory through drawings and operations!
Redesigned Master Key on a Star SR20
The key was previously made in China and USA, it was machined and cold formed to dreate gear form with variable results i.e. it didn’t work!
Wilco redesigned the key to add an extra tooth to make it work every time and simplify the gear form to enable it to be machined in one hit, rather than the previous convoluted design. And it looks even better once ionised in blue!
We have just updated our history on the website, it includes the advances in the technology we use and the journey of buying new machines . To find out more about how the building and workings of our business go to the about us page or simply click here!
Wilco will be attending the international turned parts congress being held in Catalonia this summer hosted by ADECAT.
This is an opportunity to meet peer companies and review best practice in the industry with delegates coming from trade organisations worldwide.
Our second SR20RIV Type B was installed in 2021 as an additional machine delivering full five axis capability enabling highly complex components to be processed.
The SR-20RIV Type B provides exceptional performance with up to forty one tools being brought to bear. The powerful sub-spindle has an independent 8 station platen doubling the amount of tools available on the older 20mm machines which increases overlapped secondary machining possibilities.
The flexibility of the SR-20RIV Type B is further enhanced by its programmable angled drilling/milling arm.
Out with the old and in with the new…as part of our environmental review, we have installed new LED lighting to replace the older 100 watt tubes with fresh 28W LED battens. Reduced carbon footprint and we can now see what we’re doing!
Two additional Star Sliding head CNC have been added to the machining capability. An SR32J 32mm spindle with brings much needed capacity for that size and a 6th SR20J. Wilco now run 18 Star sliders of one sort or another covering all sizes up to 35mm diameter.
We’ve added a new fixed head machine with C and Y axis. The machine will turn 65mm bars and with an 8 inch chuck too is capable of milling and turning larger components and finishing without additional secondary operations. The fixed head section has also been cleared to allow for two more machines in the not too distant future
In January 2013, Shirley Engineering was aquired by Wilco Manufacturing. The plant, equipment and personnel all moved wholesale over the Christmas Break and was set up, running and ready to produce for the New Year.
Shirley Engineering has concentrated on larger Fixed Head CNC machining which complements extremely well the Sliding Head CNCs that have been the major growth area for Wilco over the last 10 years.
Larger components up to 200mm diameter can now be machined, which enhances the portfolio of machining options available to all of our customers (new and old) enormously.
A new Miyano BNJ 51SY5 was installed in October 2012 to add to the diversity of parts that can be manufactured. The machine will machine bars up to 51mm in diameter and has 2 spindles and 2 turrets to allow the machining of complex parts in on machining operation
The machine has far more power available for bigger drilling and milling operations which in turn will free up more capacity on the very capable Star Sliding head machines.
The widest possible choice for your turned parts made here in Birmingham!
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