Formaplex, based on Portsmouth, UK, has used Delcam’s PowerSHAPE CAD software for many years for the design of patterns, jigs, fixtures, composite lay-up tools and moulds of all types, including injection, resin transfer moulding (RTM) and RIM tooling.
PowerMILL will be used to program a new five-axis CMS Poseidon machining centre in Formaplex’s Foxhound Facility. This facility was set up in early 2010 at a dedicated 14 000 ft2 premises in Horndean to aid its role in the development of Force Protection Europe’s Foxhound, a light-protected patrol vehicle for troops facing IEDs and other threats. Formaplex was awarded a contract to supply 200 of the blast-proof pods that protect the crew of the Foxhound vehicle with further orders to follow. The focus on machining of composite components for military vehicles at the facility will now diversify into other sectors within the defence area.
Formplex has also added Delcam's FeatureCAM feature-based programming system to support two Doosan mill-turn machines, one Puma and one Lynx, within the same division, also manufacturing component parts for the Foxhound vehicle. These operate around the clock to produce all types of components in various materials, including steels, aluminium, composites and plastics.
