In the high-stakes world of aerospace manufacturing, precision, consistency, and agility are non-negotiable. As supply chains tighten and component complexity grows, leading manufacturers must not only keep up with technological advancements but stay ahead of them.
Accura Engineering’s DMG Mori machining investment is doing just that.
With a multi-million-pound investment into over ten DMG MORI machining centres, housed in a new state-of-the-art facility in Willenhall, Accura is building a future-ready machining strategy designed around speed, scalability, and automation. But what does this investment mean in real terms for operations, for customers, and for the future of British aerospace manufacturing?
We sat down with Richard Hancox, Operations Director at Accura, to explore the strategic thinking behind this investment and what it signals for the wider industry.
Meet the Expert: Richard Hancox
Richard brings over two decades of experience in engineering operations and precision manufacturing. As Operations Director, he leads Accura’s production transformation spearheading the rollout of advanced machining platforms and integrating smart technologies into every stage of the manufacturing process.
Under his guidance, Accura has significantly scaled its machining capability, grown customer confidence, and invested in the infrastructure needed to support complex aerospace and defence programmes.
Why DMG MORI? The Case for High-Precision Platforms
Q: Why does Accura Engineering continue to invest in DMG MORI machines?
Richard Hancox: “Keeping up to date with new technology is critical for continual improvements and innovation. DMG MORI provides industry-leading precision, repeatability, and automation capabilities, which are essential for producing complex, high-tolerance components. These machines allow us to scale up production while maintaining the uncompromising quality standards our customers expect.”
The key word here is repeatability, a must-have for any aerospace supplier looking to deliver hundreds or thousands of identical components to exacting specifications.
Accura’s DMG Mori machining investment gives them the confidence to meet the most demanding tolerances across a wide range of part geometries, materials and batch sizes.
From Investment to Impact: Customer Benefits in Focus
Q: What are the key benefits for Accura customers?
Richard Hancox: “Ultimately, this investment translates to real advantages for our customers:
- Faster lead times: Our automated systems minimise downtime and improve throughput.
- Reduced production costs: By optimising spindle running times, we maximise efficiency.
- Superior quality and repeatability: Our ability to hold tight tolerances consistently is a game-changer, particularly for industries like aerospace and defence.”
For customers, the benefit is clear: faster, more cost-effective delivery without compromising on quality.
Aerospace programmes can move forward with greater confidence, knowing that their supplier has the infrastructure and process control to deliver first-time-right components at scale.
A Facility Designed for the Future
Accura’s new Centre of Excellence isn’t just about adding capacity. It’s about creating a manufacturing environment optimised for the demands of modern aerospace production.
Key features include:
- Large-format 5-axis machining up to 3600mm
- Multi-pallet mill-turn centres for lights-out operation
- NADCAP-accredited spark and wire EDM
- AS9100-certified processes with full traceability
- Dedicated NPI areas for fast-turnaround prototypes
This infrastructure gives Accura the flexibility to handle everything from one-off development parts to long-term production contracts—without bottlenecks or rework delays.
The Role of Automation in Scalable Growth
Q: How does automation improve production capabilities?
Richard Hancox: “This visit to the DMG MORI Open House was about more than just seeing the latest technology—it was about identifying future investment opportunities to strengthen our capabilities even further. With our new machining facility now operational, featuring DMG MORI mill-turn centres and large 5-axis machining up to 3600mm, we’re already seeing the benefits. But we’re not stopping here.”
Automation is central to Accura’s ability to compete on both cost and lead time. By running unmanned shifts and reducing manual intervention, they’re not only extending machine uptime—they’re also mitigating the impact of skills shortages and operator fatigue.
The result? Greater consistency, faster throughput, and more stable pricing for customers managing long-term aerospace programmes.
What’s Next: A Vision for 24/7, Smart Machining
Q: What’s next for Accura’s machining investment strategy?
Richard Hancox: “Our next focus is fully automated, 24/7 machining with real-time performance monitoring. By integrating smart technology, we can drive even greater efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness for our customers.”
This is where the roadmap becomes especially exciting.
Real-time monitoring, data-driven diagnostics, and predictive maintenance are poised to transform how manufacturers manage throughput and quality assurance. Accura’s continued DMG Mori machining investment is laying the groundwork for smart machining environments, where machines communicate, adapt and optimise their performance in real time.
It’s a bold step but a necessary one. As aerospace platforms become more complex and demand more responsive supply chains, only those suppliers who can scale intelligently will remain competitive.
Key Takeaways for Aerospace Buyers and Engineers
If you’re responsible for sourcing aerospace machining partners or delivering complex mechanical systems under tight timelines there are several insights you can take from this conversation:
1. Look Beyond Machine Count—Ask About Capability
Accura isn’t just adding machines; it’s building process stability, automation, and lights-out capability. When evaluating suppliers, ask not just what equipment they have, but how they’re using it.
2. Focus on Repeatability, Not Just Tolerance
Precision is only valuable if it’s repeatable. Accura’s investment in DMG MORI gives them proven control over tight tolerances at scale, reducing rework and improving delivery confidence.
3. Prioritise NPI Speed and Scalability
With flexible programming across platforms, Accura can support New Product Introduction without clogging up production lines.
4. Choose Partners Who Are Future-Proofing
Smart machining and real-time performance monitoring aren’t buzzwords—they’re essential for long-term competitiveness. Accura is actively investing in technology that reduces cost of ownership while improving reliability.
Final Word: Built for Critical Programmes
At Accura Engineering, the goal isn’t to follow the industry, it’s to lead it.
From investing in industry-leading platforms to building a digitally enabled Centre of Excellence, the company is setting a new benchmark for what an award-winning aerospace supplier can deliver: faster lead times, tighter tolerances, and complete customer confidence.
“We believe that the right technology, combined with expertise and innovation, is what sets us apart,” says Richard. “It allows us to tackle complex challenges and deliver exceptional results every time.”
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