Precision Engineering Blog

Precision Engineering and Mass Production Projects

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

Thompson Precision is the go-to engineering company when it comes to the mass-production of precise components or parts.

For example, imagine producing thousands of widgets to find out that due to a tiny error, they aren’t fit for purpose. Or that the holes created for a specific purpose are too far apart. You could be left with a large number of completely useless lumps of metal and a massive cost to be explained. It could mean the difference between a project making a profit or not. Continue reading →

Precision Engineering for Different industries

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021

Thompson Precision, which in the early 1920s was in operation and employing more than 200 people has expanded and evolved over the years to offer quality, dependable and timely service while keeping up with the technology advances in the industry. Its services include: Continue reading →

Bringing Business Back to the UK

Tuesday, January 12th, 2021

In the year 2021 and beyond, it might be high time to bring lots of business back to the UK. In this day and age, we’ve outsourced all kinds of different jobs to countries from all over the world. The reasoning differs from company to company, but the fact remains that British work hasn’t been as active as perhaps it once was. This is especially significant in the manufacturing and engineering world. For a multitude of reasons that are probably obvious to you at this point, receiving work from outside of the UK might be a little more trouble and perhaps it won’t be as valuable an option as it once was. Let us quickly go into a little more detail as to why this is, and why bringing business back to the UK should be the way to go for the foreseeable future. Continue reading →

What is Precision CNC Machining for?

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020

Precision CNC Machining involves the removal of excess raw materials with immense accuracy with the aim of creating a finished product. It’s shaping something into a specific end result, it could be a component part, a finished product, prototype or piece of art. It’s something that impacts all of us, most without even realising.

It sounds simple right? Well, it’s really not as straightforward as it sounds, the process can involve a number of steps including initial drawings, milling, turning, cutting a variety of different materials. Usually aided by computers that are able to make incredibly precise movements. Continue reading →

Helping Clients with Engineering Consultancy Services

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020

If you’re looking for a consultant to take on your engineering project then you’re definitely in the right place. At Thomson Precision, we’re dedicated to offering you best the possible service from start to finish.

Who Are Thomson Precision?

Here at Thompson Precision, we offer a world-class precision engineering service that encompasses mechanical prototyping, CNC milling and turning, rapid prototyping, product development, design and our well-known engineering consultancy. Continue reading →

The History of CNC Machining

Tuesday, July 7th, 2020

Computer numerical control – or CNC – is quite a modern concept in the production and manufacturing industries. It is a manufacturing process that involves pre-programmed computer software that dictates the machinery and the movement of factory tools. While it’s a relatively new concept, it’s one that goes back to the idea of numerical control.

Numerical control began when concepts of programmable logic were incorporated with machine tool automation. Numerical control machines were initially built in the 1940s, but by the 1950s, machines that held a slight advantage were then produced. Continue reading →

Thompson Precision – Coronavirus Update

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

While the current situation is causing incredible uncertainty to health, families, businesses and our shared way of life, we thought we’d let me know how things are looking from the factory floor and what we’re doing to keep our staff and customers safe. We’re still manufacturing, and we thought you might want to know how our days have changed.

Due to the current COVID 19 pandemic, we took the step to install social distancing measures as early as possible. We are running a skeleton staff which covers the needs of our customers. We review this weekly but can adapt to meet demands, allowing us to manufacture urgently needed components as well as fulfilling ongoing projects. Continue reading →

What is 5 Axis CNC Machining?

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

An example of 5 axis used to machine stainless steel

As CNC Machining Centres get more and more advanced, parts that would have previously been difficult to make are getting much easier. But how do you know when you need a 3 Axis or a 5 Axis CNC Machine?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machining is the method of manufacturing in which pre-programmed computer code dictates the path of cutting tools. The CNC Machine’s software runs line of code after line of code, allowing simple and complex parts to be machined in a single set of instructions. This means engineers are not needed to prompt the machine to move from one task to the next, saving time and increasing accuracy compared to manual machining. Continue reading →

How is Precision Engineering used in Manufacturing?

Friday, April 17th, 2020

Precision Engineering is the process of making things with a high level of precision. This could be a component part that goes into making a larger product, mass produced widgets, reverse engineered parts to replace one that has gone end of life or a new product all together.

In a manufacturing situation, it usually encompasses the production of highly specific components, machinery, equipment or systems for a range of industry uses. Basically, anything that requires a great deal of precision. Continue reading →

The Process of Reverse Engineering

Sunday, February 9th, 2020

Reverse engineering is where something (in this case a product or component) is taken apart to understand how it was put constructed in the first place. It is used in all walks of life in situations where you examine the end result and try and work out how to get there.

It could be applied to pretty much anything, in this post however, we are going to look at reverse engineering when applied to a product, assembly, part or component. In this case it is often used for obsolete parts which are no longer in production or to understand a competitor’s product better or to work out how to create something similar. Continue reading →