Oxley Developments has opened a new, state-of-the-art Prototype and Development Department at its Priory Park, Ulverston headquarters.

The new department enables quick turnaround on prototype machined parts and means that product samples will get to the customer quicker. Mike Fellowes, who is heading up the new department, said: "The new workshop means that our production machines will no longer be interrupted to manufacture prototypes.

"There will be two mechanical and two electrical staff, providing a link between mechanical and electronic assembly as well as critical feedback to our Design and Development Department. We will also train production staff on the assembly of any new products when required.

"Parts that are produced in the new workshop will be representative of production parts rather than rapid prototypes, enabling us to put new designs through a full test program earlier in the design stage. We can identify any special jigs, fixtures or assembly aids before the new designs go into full production."

The new Department has been designed to meet the highest standards in electronic assembly using Electro Static Discharge (ESD) flooring, benches and chairs.

The very latest metal cutting machine tools have been installed including a Haas VF2YT CNC Machining Centre fitted with a Haas TR160 Trunnion Table, giving full five axis machining capability, a Haas TL1 CNC Toolroom Lathe and an XYZ 2000 Turret Mill.

A significant investment has also been made in the latest Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) software from Delcam. This will enable 3D surface milling, 5 axis simultaneous machining and machine simulation.