2006
April: Our new website is launched.
March: We have purchased a specialist Mechanical Technical Calculation software package, which works independently of, but can output calculated parameters to, our CAD software. While there is some functional overlap between the calculation software and our CAD software, it has several features not provided by CAD software, e.g. critical speed calculations – essential for high rotational speed shaft and roller design.
January: Installation of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) has enabled greater flexibility of working, and ensured all electronic files are seamlessly transferred 'off-site' almost at the instant they are created or edited, giving peace of mind that we have the highest level of protection against electronic data loss.
2005
We have made a further investment in design software functionality, and upgraded to Autodesk Inventor® Professional 10 (AIP 10), which adds ANSYS Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Piping and Tubing, and Cable and Harness to AIS functionality. We have moved our email system from being simple 'local' PC based to Microsoft© Exchange Server based, which provides greater flexibility of working, e.g. workstation's and laptop's email accounts are automatically synchronised with both local and off-site server copies, ensuring all data is available wherever and whenever required.
Throughout the year we have invested significantly in both digital and analogue measurement equipment to back up previous investment in machinery and tooling. We also added a second company vehicle, necessary for the collection and delivery of the increasing volume of local reverse engineering work.
2004
On completion of our most complex machine design and build project to date - delivered to a global packaging companies Netherlands plant, we recognised the need to take manufacturing design capability to the next level by moving to parametric 3D software. This continues the natural progression we have made from 2D, through 3D solid modelling using dumb solids, to fully parametric 3D with editable features, part intelligence and driven assemblies. After reviewing several software vendors products we decided to remain with autodesk, and choose Autodesk Inventor® Series 8 (AIS 8). Later in the year we upgraded to AIS 9 through our membership of the Autodesk© subscription program.
2003
We upgraded our design software to autodesk AutoCAD® 2004, which has a number of improvements over AutoCAD® 2002, including the facility to password protect and attach digital signatures to drawing files, and RAL© and Pantone® colour books within the software - enabling more accurate graphic presentations.
Through 2003 we continued to invest in machine tooling, increasing our machining capacity. In December we purchased an additional manual centre lathe - an XYZ 2400, enabling us to turn parts up to 2225mm between centres. All our machine tools are equipped with Newall DRO's. We doubled our workshop space by leasing the adjoining workshop unit behind us.
We had our first computer network installed, a secure 256-bit encrypted wireless network with automated file back-up hardware/software, which together with ASDL broadband makes large file transfers faster and more reliable both internally and externally.
