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LSNW (Lofting Services North West) was started by the two brothers Richard and David Fielding in 1997 to supply printed mylars (Lofts) to the local aerospace companies and in 1998 they purchased their first CNC milling machine.
The Design Department of the LSNW group “CAD CAM Engineering” has sustained steady growth but since the introduction of the FARO Laser ScanArm (a combination of the FaroArm® and Laser Line Probe) they have been able to accept more orders so they could triple their volume of work. The increase in turnover has largely been attributed to their new Reverse Engineering capabilities with the help of the Laser ScanArm. Managing Director Richard Fielding and Quality Manager Simon Kelly first saw the FARO Laser ScanArm at a FARO Open House and immediately saw the opportunity to reduce costs and improve lead times dramatically. Following the Open House they arranged an on-site demonstration which involved the inspection of a complicated aerospace intake mould tool (while still on the CNC machine) with the Laser ScanArm – demonstrating it’s reverse engineering capabilities.
LSNW thus decided to order a FARO Laser ScanArm 10ft., Geomagic software for reverse engineering and PowerINSPECT for inspection. In the first 7 months of owning the measurement arm it has travelled thousands of miles to and from customers’ sites to scan press tools, form tools, aircraft wing skins and car body panels.
For BAE Systems Hawk aircraft over 60 tools already have been remodelled enabling CNC machining and much reduced lead times giving cost savings to the customer. When not scanning on customers’ sites the arm is set up in the inspection department and the inspectors that previously favoured the fixed bed CMM are now firm believers that the FaroArm is the way forward, so much so that they are now pushing to buy a second one.
About LSNW
Established in 1996, LSNW Ltd are an ‘independent’ company. With many years combined experience in the aerospace and automotive industries, they can offer knowledge based engineering solutions to meet customer requirements. Based in Manchester, LSNW are specialists in CNC machining, design, tool making and pattern making offering a quality service at affordable rates.
Specialists in CNC milling, toolmaking, modelmaking and patternmaking, their staff fully understand the need for flexibility and accuracy whilst working to strict deadline within given budgets.
www.cncprecision.info
