CERATIZIT is supporting manufacturers in the fight against corona

We humans quickly learn to appreciate our health again, particularly when we are faced with dangerous situations, such as pandemics. As an expert manufacturer of high-quality machining solutions, our top priority is to support manufacturing companies in the medical sector. CERATIZIT know-how and tools are particularly sought-after by manufacturers that produce fans for ventilators and face masks. 

Although much has changed in the world since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing has stayed the same: Our commitment to you. 

As the protection of people – from employees and their families to you, our valued customers and business partners – is the top priority, we are supporting manufacturing companies that are currently focussed on producing life-saving equipment in the fight against COVID-19. We are proud that our tools and wealth of experience in medical technology are allowing us to do our part.

Due to the high global demand, large numbers of manufacturing operations are switching their production facilities to focus on components for ventilators or respiratory systems. One of these companies is Cutting Edge Precision Engineering from Huntingdon, England, which was asked to produce large quantities of components for ventilators for one of its customers.

An effective means of protecting yourself from infection by the coronavirus is to wear a face shield. CERATIZIT is an expert contact partner in the production of these kinds of face masks and supports companies from the tool making and die production sector, such as Moldeados de Caucho Íscar (MCI). 

While MCI actually specialises in producing parts for mechanical engineering and the automotive industry, since the corona pandemic the Spanish company has dedicated its efforts to another task: the production of face masks. The company originally produced face masks with a 3D printer and donated them to facilities in need. The high demand for this type of protective equipment ultimately led to a greater production focus. MCI developed its own silicone model, which is more comfortable and flexible than the 3D mask, and which can be sterilised. 

To produce the tool moulds, MCI turned to the experience and know-how of the application engineers at CERATIZIT. The support provided by the engineer allowed MCI to find a perfect selection of tools required to machine the mould. The milling cutters from the CircularLine, MonsterMill and BlueLine series efficiently and cost-effectively covered all the necessary applications, whether roughing, plunging or finishing.

The face masks created impressed the entire CERATIZIT Group so much that they placed an initial order of 5000 masks from MCI, which can be used to protect the company’s own employees as well as customers throughout Europe. 

Renowned British companies from the aerospace industry, mechanical engineering and the automotive sector have switched their production to ventilators in order to support the National Health Service. Qualified machining companies have been selected to produce the components – one of these is Bryken Precision Engineering.

The British company received an order from a consortium, which includes Mercedes AMG, to produce 30,000 parts for C-PAP ventilators. All in just 10 days. While the short timeframe placed Bryken’s production capacities under pressure, as a supplier to the automotive, mechanical engineering and energy industry, among others, the company had sufficient machining capacity to meet this demand within the short lead time. However, Bryken had to consider one important factor to be able to meet the delivery deadline: the availability of the necessary tools. 

To meet this challenge, the company turned to its long-standing tool partner CERATIZIT – and was not disappointed, as Stewart Taylor, Commercial Director at Bryken confirms. “The support from CERATIZIT was brilliant. After the initial order of more than 325 items from the CERATIZIT catalogue, including carbide high-performance drills, turning inserts and grooving tools, we requested additional tools, such as taps and end mills, on a daily basis. As we have become accustomed to from CERATIZIT, not only did the tools arrive the next morning, we also received comprehensive technical advice,” says Stewart Taylor. 

Mercedes AMG was able to use the parts punctually delivered by Bryken to produce and deliver the first 10,000 C-PAP ventilators. These were used to ensure that people suffering from the coronavirus were able to receive the medical care that they need. Additional orders are already being planned.

Managing Director Tony Staub got in touch with Jay Janca from Abrasiv Tools, a certified CERATIZIT sales partner. Together, they developed a design drawing for the required part and then coordinated the tool details with CERATIZIT engineer Chuck Somerville, who recommended a high-performance PCD reamer for the holes. As Staub Precision Machine was tasked with producing 2500 parts a week, a high level of productivity also had to be ensured. 

Together with CERATIZIT engineers, the company designed two clamping towers and collets that let it produce 132 parts per clamping operation and so achieve the desired production capacity. Tony Staub was greatly impressed by the fact that it took just over a week to move from the start of planning through to efficient production. “I was amazed at how quickly CERATIZIT responded and we were able to produce high-quality parts. I am certain that we will work together with CERATIZIT again in the future.”

This view is shared by Blackhawk Industrial. The company sells products for the metalworking industry and supplies CERATIZIT tools to manufacturers in the medical technology sector. One of its customers specialises in high-precision parts for ventilators with small diameters. As these parts demand very narrow tolerances and an outstanding finish, they place particularly high demands on the cutting tools. The results achieved with the CERATIZIT reamers completely convinced Blackhawk, and the customer, who is now looking to expand their collaboration in future.