Grainger & Worrall announces major investment

Bridgnorth-based automotive casting specialist, Grainger & Worrall has increased throughput capacity by 50% after investing in a third CT scanner.

The company has experienced a substantial increase in demand for its castings, as vehicle manufacturers seek to accelerate development times of highly efficiency new models ahead of tightening emissions regulations globally.

Grainger & Worrall produces castings for early-stage development parts that behave as a production component would. This enables extensive vehicle testing and validation to be completed, even though production line materials and manufacturing processes may be very different. It provides a vital cost and time advantage to vehicle manufacturers seeking to bring new models, packed with latest technologies and materials, to market quickly and efficiently.

James Grainger, Grainger & Worrall director, said, ‘Casting of prototype components traditionally bared little semblance to final parts, but our Make Like Production mantra brings the prototyping process right up to date and in line with the fast-moving automotive industry’s requirements.

‘Now, prototype component performance characteristics can mimic those of production parts even in intensive test conditions. CT technology provides the fastest and most comprehensive opportunity for evaluation of material integrity and overall quality control. This latest investment into Grainger & Worrall’s leading-edge facilities is testament to our commitment to growing proactively in line with industry demand for our casting expertise and brings our investment in CT technology to a total of £1.2m.’

The latest CT machine provides the capability to scan larger components of up to 125kg, which can handle the largest structural components the company makes and reflects the increasing move to lightweight cast vehicle structures as well as drivetrain.