Precision assembly and tooling solutions provider Ascent Aerospace has installed a Fidia 5-axis CNC machining centre at its facility in Macomb Township, Michigan, US.

Known as Fidia GTF4015, the new 40ft centre has 60,000h of large, high-speed machining capacity.

The installation has enabled Ascent Aerospace to meet growing demand for large, metallic aerospace tooling, including assembly jigs and bond tools.

Ascent Aerospace tooling group president and COO Paul Walsh said: “We invested in another large precision 5-axis machine to maintain our position as the premier assembly jig provider in aerospace, especially as the industry shifts towards modular, scalable automation.

“Cost-effective automation applied directly onto assembly tooling is proving to be a game-changing evolution."

“Cost-effective automation applied directly onto assembly tooling is proving to be a game-changing evolution, and more customers are coming to us for this unique capability.”

The new machine is the ninth spindle installed at Ascent facilities in two years, totalling a 50% increase in machining capacity to meet growing demand across the company’s tooling group.

With the new machine, the company also aims to deliver precision products on time to its customers.

Launched in 1995, Ascent Aerospace’ Global Tooling Systems (GTS) provides different tool types in a wide range of sizes and complexities.

The GTS facility supplies design, engineering, and tooling services to aerospace, military vehicles and space industries.

Image: The Global Tooling Systems team completed the installation of Fidia 5-axis CNC machining centre. Photo: courtesy of AIP Aerospace.