engineering services

The Centre offers workshop areas which are equipped with a range of high specification equipment for the demonstration of CNC milling, CNC turning, vacuum casting, rapid prototyping, wire erosion and metrology.

Engineering Services

Training and education in practical advanced engineering disciplines is a key function of HEC. The impressive portfolio of machines and equipment used is available for hire.

HEC's leading edge CNC machine tools:

HAAS machines

TM-1 Toolroom CNC Mill

TL-1 Toolroom CNC Lathe

VF-2 5-axis CNC Mill

Wire Erosion

Mitsubishi RA90 wire erosion machine

Inspection

Quantum 6104 CNC controlled CMM 

CADCAM

Solidworks 2010

CAMworks 2010

Rapid Prototyping machines

Stratasys Fortus 360mc FDM

Z Corp Z510 3D printer

Equipment Hire

HEC's fully equipped machine rooms house a range of premium specification machine tools for the development of engineering and manufacturing solutions. This equipment can be used to provide training courses and also a troubleshooting /development service to external and internal clients.  

Customers will be able to complete a formal certificate of competency to operate each item of equipment (or an individual machine). The certificate requirements will be set out by HEC in conjunction with the equipment manufacturer or a suitable professional body - the purpose of the certificate being to ensure first class health and safety and ensure the machinery is used to its maximum potential. Once qualified the individual is then free to use the equipment - subject to availability and chargeable at £10 to £15 per hour.

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping (RP) can significantly cut new product development times and cost. RP can also be a fantastic selling tool by putting parts and assemblies in your customers hands during sales negotiations.  There are two ways to access the equipment:

Pay per Project

Send over your 3D CAD files in STL format and the staff at Hethel will run the rapid prototyping and simply post you the finished item. Charging is based on labour, material and equipment useage and discounts are available for startup businesses and those with innovative ideas but little or no financial backing. Typically the average complete price for a small item e.g. microplate, would be less than £100 but quoataions are always supplied before commencing work.