Surface Engineering Group assist local tooling supplier
Fairway Form Tools are an independent, Rotherham based company who supply tooling and machined parts to a diverse range of process industries. Due to their versatile manufacturing processes and workforce they are able to supply these components with very short lead times, giving them an edge over larger organisations in the same business.Having identified an opportunity for a part in a high throughput food processing operation, they engaged with SEG partner Corus to identify the component requirements. Working in collaboration, Corus and Fairway identified the correct grade of material and heat treatments to ensure that the material would survive for the required duration in this 24/7 operation.
This project involved metallographic examination of quench cracks seen on the plates, coupled with spark optical emission spectrometry (OES) to explain undesired artefacts of the component. Specialist expertise within the project then gave a specification for material, heat treatments and machining to ensure that quench cracking did not occur in the plate and there was no wear debris affecting the operation or end product.
This work has allowed Fairway to enter new markets which were previously not accessible to them. They are now supplying these high value parts to a local company with a far shorter lead time than the previous overseas supplier. In addition, they have invested in CAD software and training to allow them to design tailored solutions for their customers. Recent developments have seen their products used in the supply chain for major UK supermarkets.
