We specialise in high precision CNC machining, a cutting-edge manufacturing process that combines computer numerical control (CNC) technology with high-precision machining techniques.
With over 30 years of producing intricate and accurate components with tight tolerances, we are leaders in creating quality high precision CNC milled and turned components.
Our precision CNC machining services include 3, 4, and 5-axis machining. With the ability to work with a wide range of materials, our team of skilled engineers and machinists can deliver precise and reliable parts that meet the most stringent of demands in modern engineering.
In 3-axis milling, the milling machine can move in three directions: X-axis (horizontal), Y-axis (vertical), and Z-axis (depth).
This allows for the creation of relatively simple shapes and features on a workpiece. If your precision part requires more complex geometries, using a 3-axis machine would require repositioning the workpiece, which could be more expensive in the long run.
For example: Gearbox Casing, Industrial Pump Housing, Brake Caliper Bracket, Engine Block.
4-axis milling adds an additional rotational axis, typically known as the A-axis or the rotary axis.
This axis enables the milling machine to tilt or rotate the workpiece, providing more flexibility and the ability to machine undercuts and angled features without repositioning the workpiece.
For Example: Aerospace Actuator Component, Injection Mold Core, Aluminum Extrusion Profile.
5-axis milling takes it a step further by introducing a second rotary axis, known as the B-axis. This axis allows the milling machine to tilt or swivel the tool itself, in addition to the workpiece rotation.
This capability enables the machine to reach even more complex angles and produce intricate geometries with fewer setups and increased precision.
Turning, put simply, is machining a turning piece or stock by changing its outside diameters and/or inside diameters at any point along the length of the piece.
Mill-Turning: With a CNC machine that allows us both milling and turning functionality, we have unparalleled flexibility, precision and repeatability in the production of parts and components across industries.
With our range of precision machined products, we ensure our customers achieve their requirements on-time, on-budget and right the first time, every time. Whether you need prototypes, small-batch production, or large-scale manufacturing, our advanced high precision CNC machining capabilities can handle your specifications.
“Aldus Engineering’s CNC machine expertise and precision engineering have earned our utmost confidence.” - Tronics
“Aldus Engineering’s CNC machine expertise and precision engineering have earned our utmost confidence.” - Tronics
“Aldus Engineering’s CNC machine expertise and precision engineering have earned our utmost confidence.” - Tronics
Our precision engineering services utilise advanced techniques and technology at a competitive price to produce high-quality components that are needed across industries such as aerospace, automotive, defence and electronics.
With expertise in CAD/CAM software and CNC machining, these services ensure precise specifications, improved performance, and a competitive advantage for our clients.
Using CMM (coordinate measuring machine), we have an inbuilt quality and inspection process with full traceability. With ISO 9001 accreditation, our processes are global and industry best practices.
We have the only CAM technology on the market with an unmatched, patented, iMachining solution.
Our wire cutting capability enables precise customisation, faster production, and intricate designs to enhance your project.
Our welding services offer seamless fabrication, diverse material compatibility, and allow us to offer a one-stop solution for your manufacturing needs.
Our robust stock supply assures timely production, reduces downtime, and allows us to meet your demands efficiently.
Offering heat treatment allows us to enhance your material durability, strength, and precision - yielding superior quality components.
Our internal waste management process is part of our environmental responsibility, cost efficiency, and sustainability practice.
By choosing our assembly services, you can save valuable time and resources, as we take care of the meticulous assembly work, leaving you with a finished product that's ready for immediate use.
Automotive Engine Block: While they have complex internal passages, the external shape can be machined efficiently using a 3-axis CNC machine.
Consumer Electronics Housings: The housings for consumer electronics like laptops, tablets, and gaming. A 3-axis CNC machine can efficiently create the necessary openings, slots, and contours.
Aerospace Brackets: Various brackets and supports used in aircraft, such as mounting brackets for avionics or landing gear components.
Industrial Valve Bodies: Valve bodies for controlling fluid flow. They require precise machining of threads, bores, and sealing surfaces.
Aerospace Engine Bracket: Brackets and supports used in aircraft engines need precise machining for alignment and strength.
Industrial Pump Impeller: Impellers used in industrial pumps require accurate machining to optimize fluid flow.
Automotive Transmission Housing: Transmission housings often have complex shapes and features. A 4-axis CNC machine can accurately machine the housing's surfaces, bolt holes, and openings.
Architectural Balustrade: Architectural elements like balustrades require precise machining for aesthetic and structural reasons.
Aerospace Turbine Impeller: Turbine impellers are used in aircraft engines and require precise blade profiles and intricate cooling channels.
Mould and Die Components: In the manufacturing industry, producing moulds and dies for plastic injection or metal casting processes requires complex shapes and features.
Automotive Suspension Components: Suspension parts, such as control arms or steering knuckles, need precise machining to ensure safety and performance.
Shafts: Shafts are common turned parts in various industries. They can be used in automotive drivetrains, machinery, and other applications. CNC turning is ideal for producing precise cylindrical shapes with features like threads or keyways.
Bushings: Bushings are used as bearings or spacers in machinery. CNC turning can produce bushings with precise inner and outer diameters, ensuring proper fit and function.
Valve Stems: Valve stems are critical components in control valves. CNC turning can produce valve stems with precise contours and threading to regulate fluid flow.
Hydraulic Cylinder Rods: Hydraulic cylinders use rods that extend and retract. CNC turning can create these rods with accurate dimensions and surface finishes to ensure smooth operation.
In short, yes. Founded in 1989, Kewder Engineering has spent over thirty years producing intricate and accurate machine components with strict specifications and tight tolerances. In 2022, we became part of the Aldus Group, which was once known as Aldus Engineering.
To reacquire the Aldus Engineering name cements our place within the Aldus Group, pays tribute to the past, and – with the gravitas of its rich history – positions us as the brand that is constant, reliable, can stand the test of time, and is ever-evolving to match the demands of modern engineering.
The time it takes to CNC (Computer Numerical Control) a part or project varies widely based on factors such as complexity, material, design, machine capabilities, and setup. Simple tasks can take minutes, while intricate projects might require hours or more. However, we pride ourselves on always delivering our customers projects on spec and on time.
It depends on the CNC shop. In our case, absolutely. Aldus Engineering is fully equipped and experienced in assembly services to meet your needs. Whether it's a complex multi-part project or a straightforward assembly job, our skilled technicians are adept at seamlessly piecing together components, ensuring they fit precisely and function flawlessly.
By choosing our assembly services, you can save valuable time and resources, as we take care of the meticulous assembly work, leaving you with a finished product that's ready for immediate use.
Certainly, many CNC shops offer welding services in addition to their machining capabilities. We do. Welding is a crucial process for joining metal components, and when combined with CNC machining, it allows for the fabrication of intricate structures and assemblies.
Aldus Engineering, for example, employs skilled welders who can work with various metals and alloys, ensuring strong and durable welds that meet industry standards. This comprehensive approach means you can rely on us not only for precision machining but also for the welding expertise required to complete your project, providing you with a one-stop solution for your manufacturing needs.
When it comes to selecting the right CNC shop for you, we suggest you consider factors such as expertise, capabilities, quality, turnaround time, cost, materials, additional services, flexibility, and customer support.
Expertise & Capabilities: Evaluate their experience in your specific industry and ensure they have the right machinery and technology to support your project's complexities.
Quality control: Check their track record for precision, accuracy, and material expertise.
Turnaround time: Inquire about their production timelines and look for reviews from other customers to confirm if they can deliver when they say they can.
Cost: Compare quotes, but keep quality and capabilities in mind.
Materials: Confirm their proficiency with your desired materials.
Additional Services: Check to see if they offer services like design assistance, finishing, and assembly.
Flexibility: Look for a shop willing to accommodate design changes and iterations.
Customer support: Ensure they provide helpful support before, during, and after the project.
Yes, CNC shops typically create the tool paths for your design. Once you provide the design file in a compatible format (such as DXF, DWG, STL, etc.), the CNC shop's software and technicians will generate the necessary tool paths. These tool paths determine the precise movement of the CNC machine's cutting tools to transform your design into a physical object. The CNC shop considers factors like cutting strategy, tool selection, speeds, feeds, and material properties to ensure accurate and efficient machining. It's important to communicate your design specifications and requirements clearly to the CNC shop to ensure optimal results.
The choice between using a lathe or a mill depends on the specific requirements of your project and the type of machining operations you need to perform. Here's a general guideline to help you decide:
Use a lathe when:
You need to create cylindrical or rotational parts.
Your design involves turning, facing, threading, or grooving operations.
You want to work on symmetrical parts or create concentric features.
You're primarily dealing with rotational movement and material removal along the axis of rotation.
Use a mill when:
Your project involves complex 3D shapes, contours, or irregular geometries.
You need to create features like pockets, holes, slots, and intricate details.
You want to work on both flat and contoured surfaces.
You require precise drilling, tapping, or milling operations.
Your design involves multiple axes of movement for cutting tools.
In some cases, projects might require a combination of both lathe and mill operations to achieve the desired outcome. It's essential to consider factors like the material you're working with, the level of precision required, and the specific features your design entails. Consulting with experts at a CNC shop can help you determine the best approach based on your project's needs.
In CNC machining, an undercut refers to a situation where a portion of a machined feature or surface extends beyond the line of sight or reach of the cutting tool. This can occur when a tool cannot access a certain area due to physical constraints, such as the shape of the workpiece or the tool's geometry. Undercuts are common in complex designs and can be challenging to machine accurately.
Undercuts can be problematic because they can result in incomplete or inaccurate machining, leading to parts that do not meet the desired specifications. To address undercuts, special tooling or techniques may be required, such as using specialised cutters or adjusting the machining approach. It's crucial to consider the potential for undercuts when designing parts for CNC machining and to communicate clearly with the CNC shop to ensure the best possible outcome.
Rigid tapping is a CNC machining process used for creating threaded holes in a workpiece using a tapping tool while the spindle is rotating. Unlike conventional tapping, where the tool is manually fed into the hole, in rigid tapping, the CNC machine synchronizes the rotation of the spindle with the feed movement of the tool to produce accurate threads.
Rigid tapping offers several benefits, including accuracy, time efficiency, tool longevity, and complex thread profiles.
You should use rigid tapping when:
You need accurate and consistent threads in your workpiece.
You want to save time compared to conventional tapping methods.
Your CNC machine is equipped with rigid tapping capabilities.
You're working with materials that benefit from controlled and efficient tapping processes.
Keep in mind that not all CNC machines support rigid tapping, so it's essential to ensure that your machine has this capability if you plan to use it. Additionally, proper programming and tool selection are crucial for successful rigid tapping, so consulting with experts or referring to your machine's documentation is recommended.
While overseas CNC shops can offer cost savings and access to specialised skills, sometimes offering a greater capacity with global sourcing, there are potential challenges you should carefully consider when deciding whether to work with an overseas supplier.
Dealing with different time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and delays, and maintaining quality control can be difficult when dealing with a distant supplier when monitoring and overseeing specifications becomes a little more complicated. Add in lead time delays and unforeseen costs with shipping and custom procedures - and your project timeline (as well as your budget) could be impacted. You also must consider the intellectual property concerns when dealing with suppliers in different legal jurisdictions, potentially increasing the risk of unauthorised use or replication.
It's essential to thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons based on your project's needs, risk tolerance, and your ability to manage the complexities that might arise from an international partnership.
At Aldus Engineering, we redefine precision through advanced CNC machining, fusing cutting-edge technology with three decades of expertise. Leaders in crafting intricate components with unparalleled accuracy and tight tolerances, we specialise in high precision CNC milled and turned solutions for the Auto, Aerospace, and Food Processing Industries.
Our ISO 9001 accreditation underscores our commitment to quality management. This certification highlights our dedication to consistently meeting customer and regulatory standards, enhancing operational efficiency, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Clients and partners can trust that our processes are rigorously optimised to deliver high-quality products and services consistently.
