Precision Engineering Blog

There are more precision engineering companies to choose from than ever. That sounds like good news for buyers, but the reality is more complicated.

The UK precision engineering market is splitting in two. Specialist, well-invested companies are seeing strong demand. Generalist, lower-margin operations are under real pressure. The gap between the best and the rest is widening, and for buyers sourcing components for safety-critical or time-critical programmes, the cost of picking the wrong partner is significant. Continue reading →

A structural aerospace component can start its life as a billet of aluminium weighing more than a tonne and finish as a finely machined part weighing under a hundred kilos. The rest leaves the machine as a mountain of chips.

At first glance, that looks wasteful. In reality, it is how some of the most demanding airframes in the world are built. The method is called solid billet CNC machining, and for primary structural parts on modern aircraft, it remains the default choice. Continue reading →

Picture a machining cell at two o’clock in the morning. The lights are off, the shop floor is empty, and yet a 5-axis machine is steadily producing aerospace brackets to tolerances measured in microns. A robot loads the next pallet. A probe checks the setup. The spindle engages, and another part takes shape. Continue reading →

Did you know machining Inconel can wear out cutting tools up to three times faster than stainless steel? These superalloys power jet engines and surgical implants, forming the backbone of high-performance engineering. Yet their exceptional strength makes them notoriously difficult to machine, prone to rapid tool wear, heat buildup, and distortion.

The challenge isn’t just technical, it’s a test of process discipline. Mastering titanium and Inconel doesn’t require costly trial and error. It demands precision tooling, optimised parameters, and proven partnerships that turn tough materials into reliable components. Continue reading →

Powering EV Innovation

By 2030, more than 60% of global car sales are expected to be electric, yet the race to perfect the battery housing has only just begun.

In the electrification revolution, it’s not always the battery chemistry driving innovation. Sometimes, the real breakthrough lies in what surrounds it. The most overlooked innovation in modern EV design may well be the battery housing, a structure that defines not only safety and thermal performance but also how efficiently a vehicle can be manufactured and driven. Continue reading →

Precision Bearings & Tolerances

Did you know that a misalignment of just 0.01mm in a robotic arm joint can cut its operational lifespan in half?

In the world of robotics, even the smallest deviation can lead to vibration, increased wear, and costly downtime. When every fraction of a millimetre counts, precision isn’t just a design detail, it’s the foundation of performance. Continue reading →

Gearbox failures strike one in every 145 wind turbines annually, costing operators millions in downtime. What if superior machining could extend shaft life beyond the typical 20-year target? In the world of renewable energy, reliability is everything, and Thompson Precision stands at the forefront, delivering precision engineering solutions that enhance the durability of wind turbine gearbox shafts. Continue reading →

Imagine a Formula 1 piston machined to tolerances of just 10-20 microns, thinner than a quarter of a human hair, which measures around 70 microns thick. These ultra-precise components endure 20,000 RPM, where pistons accelerate at over 10,000g, facing extreme heat, pressure, and vibration that demand flawless reliability. One tiny deviation can spell disaster: engine failure mid-race, lost power delivery, poor thermal efficiency, or a DNF that costs championships.​ Continue reading →