Gateway introduces ferrite core gapping and machining centre
Gateway Electronic Components, the UK-based technical specialist component distributor, has made a major investment to offer customers across Europe access to the company’s new ferrite core gapping and machining centre based at its Cheshire facility.
Gateway is the UK’s largest distributor of ferrite and magnetic material. It holds franchises for the supply of TDK, Ferroxcube and Fair-Rite products, as well as providing authorised access to the Magnetics range of products. Gateway has made a significant investment in surface grinding and machining technology as well as the associated test equipment, hardware and software to support the initiative. A dedicated team of specially trained staff have been recruited to run the operation.
Tapping into its vast stockholding of standard ferrite core geometries and sizes, Gateway can grind or machine those cores to the desired dimension or AL value, to promptly supply a bespoke modification to meet small and large volume requirements.
To accommodate the value-added project, Gateway has also installed a CAD-based design and approval service, enhanced its operating system platform by programming in a MRP works order module, and networked into its system all ATE equipment to enable test data capture for each of the batches of material handled within the procedure. This maintains full batch traceability on raw material and manufacturing process control at each stage of the programme.
Gateway’s managing director, Martin Ford explains: “The investment was customer driven to begin with as they were looking for such a facility and they asked us if we could provide a solution. They trusted that Gateway would expedite the programme with the usual efficiency and professionalism, and now our machine shop is open for business. We have the machinery, the technical know-how, and the operators all in place; and we have vast stocks of all major core geometries readily available to sample prior to approval. This will strengthen our position as the ferrite specialist distributor for the UK and will also give us a unique opportunity in addressing the needs of an increasing number of customers across Europe.”
