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Yet more investment by GTR Composites as they install the UK’s first Fanum Lambda VTS Machine

Global Technologies Racing Ltd has announced the installation of the UK’s first Fanum Lambda VTS large-size 5-axis CNC milling machine. Installed into GTR’s Easthampnett pattern shop at a cost of over £300,000, the new machine fully meets the exacting needs of the GTR group of companies and their customers, increasing production capability and capacity. This investment in machining follows the recent announcement regarding GTR’s new state-of-the-art paint and finishing facility, bespoke designed and built at a cost of over £1 million.

Supplied and installed by Kingsbury Machine Tools, the new Fanum Lambda VTS machine has an internal capacity of 4200 x 3200 x 1300mm and machines to an accuracy of +/-0.1mm. It has a 22-tool magazine and a Heidenhain TNC 640 control that increases machining efficiency by cutting down program process time. Jobs are now machined faster allowing for an increase in overall production rate. The larger machining envelope enables GTR to cut larger sized patterns, moulds and parts which GTR have previously not been able to achieve. This results in the production process being simplified by removing the requirement to split and assemble larger parts, increasing accuracy, saving time and reducing cost.

GTR’s established high-precision composite manufacturing capability is second to none. Selected to manufacture critical components by companies ranging from the world’s most high technology race car teams to critical medical equipment manufacturers, the skills, quality and attention to detail embedded into GTR’s processes are more than a match for other precision sectors such as aerospace and defence. With over 250 highly skilled staff on-site, GTR’s production facilities include x10 in-house autoclaves ranging in sizes up to 3m in diameter and 5.5m in length. This allows GTR to handle both micro components and larger vehicle sized assemblies, such as the composite protected crew pods that GTR manufactured for the Foxhound armoured military vehicle programme.

Simon Kingdon-Butcher, Co-founder, Owner and Director at GTR said: “the installation of this new Fanum machine is yet another step in our investment plan that follows the recently announced establishment of our paint and finish facility. We are committed to remaining at the very forefront of production technology to allow us to deliver the innovation, capability, quality and efficiency that is demanded by our clients”. He added: “we’re already exceedingly well-established within the supply chain at the very top of motorsport and performance automotive but our skills are equally as applicable across the wider engineering sectors including aerospace and defence. Our continued investment will open more doors and enable future growth as the GTR brand becomes embedded into a wider and more diverse engineering customer base”.

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