1. AMRC showcase helps innovative manufacturingcompany make a
tough investment decision
Posted on September 2,2015 by Kirsten
Composite experts from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing ResearchCentre with
Boeing have helped a specialist local manufacturer to make a major investment in new technology.
Absolute Engineering’s fiv e axis, CNC milling machine in action
Absolute Engineering,based atSkelmanthorpe,West Yorkshire,is a world-beating supplier of‘doctor blade
systems,which control the consumption ofink and water used in printing and coating processes.
The companypioneered the use of woven carbon fibre chambered systems which are lighter,more corrosion
resistant,easier to maintain and offer higher performance than conventional metal systems.
Absolute’s alternative proved so successful thatit found it couldn’tcope with the demand and was having to
outsource some ofits work,so the companysoughtadvice from Business Growth Service consultant,Abigail
Levin, from business supportspecialists Chrysalis Transform.
One solution was to investin a five axis, CNC milling machine to automate production ofmultiple orders,with one
offs and specials made byexisting manual methods.
However, making such a significantinvestmentwas a big decision for a small firm.
Fortunately, the AMRC Composite Centre was alreadyworking with a five axis machine,and Composite Centre
manager Richard Scaife and projectengineer John Halfpennywere more than happy to put the machine through
its paces to reassure Absolute aboutits performance.

2. One of the product’s made on Absolute Engineering’s Absolute Engineering’s five axis, CNC milling
machine.
John generated a number ofCNC programs thatsimulated the more complextasks Absolute would need a new
machine to carry out and a demonstration atthe AMRC’s facilities helped to convince Absolute’s new American
owners,global printservices technologygroup Pamarco,to make the inves tment.
Abigail Levin, from Chrysalis,said:“When you are turning over £2 million,spending £350,000 on a machine is an
enormous amountofmoney and the fact that our clientwas able to see and test a similar machine was fortuitous.
“Trialing the equipment atthe AMRC was a big bonus and gave Absolute and its parentcompanyconfidence that
the technologywould work.”
Richard Scaife from the AMRC said:“We were delighted to be able to play a part in helping Absolute Engineering
make the rightinvestmentin new manufacturing technology.The AMRC is available to assistbusinesses to
develop methods and techniques to advance their manufacturing technologyto enable them to grow and
compete more effectivly”
Financial assistance for the purchase ofthe new technology was provided by the Leeds City Region Business
Growth Programme and MAS Yorkshire,now known as Business Growth.
Abigail Levin, provided Project Managementexpertise and,with John Brannock from Absolute, organised the
design and build programme which included equipmentspecification,installation ofair filtration devices,
upgrades to the electricity supplyand the relocation ofAbsolute’s canteen.
It was a hectic three months,butAbsolute hasn’tlooked back.

3. “This machine allows us to manufacture a higher quantity of chambers to an even higher standard than
previouslyand is a reflection of Absolute’s commitmentto providing the very bestproductto our customers,” said
Absolute’s managing director,Antony Whiteside.
“Investmentin people and equipmentis key to our expansion.”
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AMRC Sheffield 2011