JRM Group, an international advanced engineering and manufacturing firm involved in automotive and motorsport, has invested in the first Lasertec 30 SLM 2nd Generation machine from DMG Mori in the UK.
The investment will be the cornerstone of building closer relationships with the Group's existing customers and expansion into other sectors, including aerospace and medical.
JRM specialises in problem solving for its clients, working with and developing designs to manufacture low-volume high-value parts as well as concepts and prototypes. In addition to machining and fabrication, the company’s skills extend to designing and building electronic equipment to monitor and report from sensors. Current projects under development include a skateboard chassis for high performance electric vehicles and a chassis rig to dynamically test vehicles for full kinematic compliance.
Investing in the Lasertec 30 SLM 2nd Generation machine will enable the firm to provide more innovative solutions for its customers. For example, multiple components can be combined into one component, parts that would be impossible or very difficult to make can be manufactured and components can be redesigned to optimise weight and strength. Many applications can benefit from these techniques building in features such as internal voids and tubes which would normally be impossible for low volume metallic parts. Combining this capability with the know-how of JRM’s engineers will make lateral thinking for new solutions realisable in a short time frame.
The machine itself has a 300mm cubic working volume and uses powder bed laser technology where layer thicknesses of between 20µm and 100µm of metal powder are fused together with a 600W laser source. The advantage of this technology is the accuracy and quality of the finished part. JRM’s Lasertec 30 SLM 2nd Generation has three DMG Mori rePlug cartridges. These are dedicated to titanium, aluminium and stainless steel powders. The technology enables material change to be completed within two hours and in complete safety. In addition, the machine is fitted with duo filters which alternate and enable filter changing without interrupting production. Setup and testing of the machine has been completed by DMG Mori specialists, setting all the parameters for perfect parts in the three materials chosen by JRM.
Steve Finn, managing director of DMG Mori UK says, 'We are very excited to be working with JRM. It has the skills and contacts to take full advantage of the Lasertec 30 SLM 2nd Generation’s capability for innovation and we are looking forward to being involved in some of its projects.'
The investment in DMG Mori equipment is part of JRM’s plan for a centre of excellence in Daventry. The three current sites that the company operates will be amalgamated in the new centre which will be considerably expanded and which will have a sustainable ethos.
Jason King, managing director of the JRM Group says, 'DMG Mori technology puts us right at the front in engineering and technical capability. Our specialists have the skills to develop radical solutions and now, with the Lasertec 30 SLM 2nd Generation, we have the tools to turn them into reality.'
