Friction Technologies
Putting the brakes on inefficiency
Founded in 2003, Friction Technology began manufacturing brake and clutch components in the West Midlands. As demand increased and the original site reached capacity, the company relocated to Caernarfon, North Wales. The town has a strong industrial heritage in this field, having previously been home to the Ferodo factory, which operated locally for several decades. Friction Technology now operates from a modern facility in Caernarfon, building on that established manufacturing legacy.
As requirements for precision and productivity increased, Friction Technology began upgrading its manual machining equipment and engaged with Haas Automation to explore suitable CNC options. “I was new to the role at the time, so having the right support was crucial,” explains Production Manager Gethin Magee. “Ian Lowe, the Haas sales manager for the region, took the time to understand what we were trying to achieve and guided us through the process, recommending the machine that would best suit our applications and future plans.”
The company’s first CNC investment was a Haas VF-2YT vertical machining centre, chosen for its extended Y-axis travel and 8,100 rpm direct drive spindle. “The quality of the machine stood out straight away, and we found it very user friendly,” says Gethin. “Because the control system is common across the range, it made the decision to invest in further Haas machines much easier when we needed to increase capacity.
“We have recently achieved EN9100 Aerospace and Military certification, and the programmes we support require consistently high surface finishes and the tightest tolerances. Our choice of Haas machinery is driven by its ability to deliver the precision, repeatability and finish quality demanded by these aerospace and defence applications.”
Friction Technology subsequently expanded its machining capability with the addition of a VF-4 and, most recently, a VF-4SS Super Speed Vertical Machining Centre, equipped with a 12,000 rpm direct drive spindle and a high speed 30 +1 side mount tool changer. The Super Speed machine has delivered a significant uplift in performance on demanding work. “It’s on another level,” says Gethin. “We can really push the end mills to their limits and we’ve cut our cycle times by 25%.”
“We make full use of the High Speed Machining capability, which really helps with toolpath motion through corners and improves both surface finish and overall part quality,” says Gethin. “The WIPS wireless probing system also makes a big difference. It saves a lot of set up time and ensures our work is always accurate.” The WIPS system allows automated probing of both tools and workpieces, reducing manual intervention and helping maintain consistent accuracy across repeat production runs.
Orders range from small batch quantities of around ten components through to high volume production runs of several thousand, supplying customers worldwide across sectors including marine, wind energy, agriculture and construction. The company supports customers at multiple stages of the manufacturing process, from initial concept through to finished parts.
“We work directly from customer drawings, but we also offer a full in-house design service,” explains Gethin. “Using Fusion 360 for CAD and CAM allows us to manage both design and machining within a single workflow. It’s rewarding to be involved in a project from the very start and see it through to completion.”
Turning capacity was the next requirement for the workshop. After reviewing pre-owned options, the team once again turned to Haas Automation UK. “We wanted peace of mind when buying pre-owned,” explains Gethin. “With Haas, the machines are fully refurbished and supplied with a warranty, so you know you are getting something reliable.”
The company selected a TL-1 Toolroom Lathe, a CNC machine designed to replace traditional manual lathes while offering far greater productivity and consistency. While programmed through the Haas control, the TL-1 provides a straightforward and accessible route into CNC turning, particularly for one off work and small batch production. “It replaced our manual lathe and we are delighted with it,” says Gethin.
“First and foremost, being fully guarded, the safety aspect of running a turning centre is taken care of, which gives me real peace of mind. It is also much faster, and because we can machine multiple operations in a single setup, our overall setup time has been reduced.”
Following the success of the TL-1, Friction Technology invested in a larger pre-owned turning centre, adding an ST-20Y Sub paired with a Haas Bar Feeder integrated directly with the Haas control. With Y-axis capability and a C-axis sub spindle, the machine delivers a complete done in one machining solution. “We are producing some very complex parts on this machine,” Gethin explains. “From bar feeding through to turning and milling, everything is completed in one cycle, with the parts catcher delivering the finished component.”
One of the earlier VF-4 machines has since been dedicated to friction component production and is used exclusively for dry machining operations. The team has developed a bespoke vacuum table to securely hold friction sheets during machining, alongside producing its own cutting tools in-house. “That level of control is important to us,” says Gethin. “Being able to design and make our own fixtures and tooling gives us complete autonomy over the process and the finished result.”
Ongoing support has also played a key role in the company’s long-term relationship with Haas Automation. “We’ve been very impressed with the after sales service,” Gethin adds. “Our applications engineer, Richard Ratcliffe, was thorough during on-site training and is always available when we need support. We chose Haas because the machines are accurate, reliable and good value. We’ve stayed with Haas because the service has been second to none.”
