Welcome to Aldus Engineering, a leading provider of precision engineering services and CNC machining solutions. We are proud to announce that on 7 February 2022, Kewder Engineering joined Aldus, bringing their expertise and capabilities to our esteemed organisation. Kewder, located in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, has been renowned for its commitment to improving quality CNC milled and turned components as a strategic competitive advantage in precision manufacturing.
Precision manufacturing is a specialised field of engineering that focuses on the design, development, and production of high-accuracy components for machinery. It involves utilising advanced techniques, technologies, and tools to achieve precise specifications and tolerances. Precision engineering ensures that manufactured parts meet stringent quality standards, often within micrometre or even nanometre tolerances. This discipline is crucial in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical devices, where precision is paramount for optimal performance and reliability.
Since 1989, Kewder Engineering has operated a state-of-the-art CNC machine shop, employing cutting-edge technology to meet their customers' specific product requirements.
Precision engineering and CNC machining are interconnected disciplines that work together to achieve exceptional manufacturing outcomes, which is why, alongside our CNC professional machine and engineering services, we have made significant investments in the latest 5-axis CNC machines.
As a testament to our commitment to quality, Kewder also obtained ISO 9001 quality systems accreditation, a significant milestone for the business, in 1998.
However, evolving market opportunities require more than just strong quality systems; they demand advanced equipment to ensure product excellence. This is why we adopted automatic coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology to further enhance our quality assurance processes.
With a team of over 30 highly skilled employees and a 35,000-square-foot factory, Aldus Engineering is well-equipped to handle your precision engineering needs. We pride ourselves on our dedication to delivering superior quality, to tight specifications and deadlines, alongside exceeding customer expectations. Trust us to be your reliable partner for CNC professional machine and engineering services.
At Aldus Engineering, we redefine precision through advanced CNC machining, fusing cutting-edge technology with three decades of expertise. Leaders in crafting intricate components with unparalleled accuracy and tight tolerances, we specialise in high precision CNC milled and turned solutions for the Auto, Aerospace, and Food Processing Industries.
In short, yes. Founded in 1989, Kewder Engineering has spent over thirty years producing intricate and accurate machine components with strict specifications and tight tolerances. In 2022, we became part of the Aldus Group, which was once known as Aldus Engineering.
To reacquire the Aldus Engineering name cements our place within the Aldus Group, pays tribute to the past, and – with the gravitas of its rich history – positions us as the brand that is constant, reliable, can stand the test of time, and is ever-evolving to match the demands of modern engineering.
Yes, Advatek has over 25 years experience combining deep technical expertise with cutting edge technology. In 2024, Advatek became part of Aldus Engineering in the Aldus Group.
The time it takes to CNC (Computer Numerical Control) a part or project varies widely based on factors such as complexity, material, design, machine capabilities, and setup. Simple tasks can take minutes, while intricate projects might require hours or more. However, we pride ourselves on always delivering our customers projects on spec and on time.
It depends on the CNC shop. In our case, absolutely. Aldus Engineering is fully equipped and experienced in assembly services to meet your needs. Whether it's a complex multi-part project or a straightforward assembly job, our skilled technicians are adept at seamlessly piecing together components, ensuring they fit precisely and function flawlessly.
By choosing our assembly services, you can save valuable time and resources, as we take care of the meticulous assembly work, leaving you with a finished product that's ready for immediate use.
Certainly, many CNC shops offer welding services in addition to their machining capabilities. We do. Welding is a crucial process for joining metal components, and when combined with CNC machining, it allows for the fabrication of intricate structures and assemblies.
Aldus Engineering, for example, employs skilled welders who can work with various metals and alloys, ensuring strong and durable welds that meet industry standards. This comprehensive approach means you can rely on us not only for precision machining but also for the welding expertise required to complete your project, providing you with a one-stop solution for your manufacturing needs.
When it comes to selecting the right CNC shop for you, we suggest you consider factors such as expertise, capabilities, quality, turnaround time, cost, materials, additional services, flexibility, and customer support.
Expertise & Capabilities: Evaluate their experience in your specific industry and ensure they have the right machinery and technology to support your project's complexities.
Quality control: Check their track record for precision, accuracy, and material expertise.
Turnaround time: Inquire about their production timelines and look for reviews from other customers to confirm if they can deliver when they say they can.
Cost: Compare quotes, but keep quality and capabilities in mind.
Materials: Confirm their proficiency with your desired materials.
Additional Services: Check to see if they offer services like design assistance, finishing, and assembly.
Flexibility: Look for a shop willing to accommodate design changes and iterations.
Customer support: Ensure they provide helpful support before, during, and after the project.
Yes, CNC shops typically create the tool paths for your design. Once you provide the design file in a compatible format (such as DXF, DWG, STL, etc.), the CNC shop's software and technicians will generate the necessary tool paths. These tool paths determine the precise movement of the CNC machine's cutting tools to transform your design into a physical object. The CNC shop considers factors like cutting strategy, tool selection, speeds, feeds, and material properties to ensure accurate and efficient machining. It's important to communicate your design specifications and requirements clearly to the CNC shop to ensure optimal results.
The choice between using a lathe or a mill depends on the specific requirements of your project and the type of machining operations you need to perform. Here's a general guideline to help you decide:
Use a lathe when:
You need to create cylindrical or rotational parts.
Your design involves turning, facing, threading, or grooving operations.
You want to work on symmetrical parts or create concentric features.
You're primarily dealing with rotational movement and material removal along the axis of rotation.
Use a mill when:
Your project involves complex 3D shapes, contours, or irregular geometries.
You need to create features like pockets, holes, slots, and intricate details.
You want to work on both flat and contoured surfaces.
You require precise drilling, tapping, or milling operations.
Your design involves multiple axes of movement for cutting tools.
In some cases, projects might require a combination of both lathe and mill operations to achieve the desired outcome. It's essential to consider factors like the material you're working with, the level of precision required, and the specific features your design entails. Consulting with experts at a CNC shop can help you determine the best approach based on your project's needs.
In CNC machining, an undercut refers to a situation where a portion of a machined feature or surface extends beyond the line of sight or reach of the cutting tool. This can occur when a tool cannot access a certain area due to physical constraints, such as the shape of the workpiece or the tool's geometry. Undercuts are common in complex designs and can be challenging to machine accurately.
Undercuts can be problematic because they can result in incomplete or inaccurate machining, leading to parts that do not meet the desired specifications. To address undercuts, special tooling or techniques may be required, such as using specialised cutters or adjusting the machining approach. It's crucial to consider the potential for undercuts when designing parts for CNC machining and to communicate clearly with the CNC shop to ensure the best possible outcome.
Rigid tapping is a CNC machining process used for creating threaded holes in a workpiece using a tapping tool while the spindle is rotating. Unlike conventional tapping, where the tool is manually fed into the hole, in rigid tapping, the CNC machine synchronizes the rotation of the spindle with the feed movement of the tool to produce accurate threads.
Rigid tapping offers several benefits, including accuracy, time efficiency, tool longevity, and complex thread profiles.
You should use rigid tapping when:
You need accurate and consistent threads in your workpiece.
You want to save time compared to conventional tapping methods.
Your CNC machine is equipped with rigid tapping capabilities.
You're working with materials that benefit from controlled and efficient tapping processes.
Keep in mind that not all CNC machines support rigid tapping, so it's essential to ensure that your machine has this capability if you plan to use it. Additionally, proper programming and tool selection are crucial for successful rigid tapping, so consulting with experts or referring to your machine's documentation is recommended.
While overseas CNC shops can offer cost savings and access to specialised skills, sometimes offering a greater capacity with global sourcing, there are potential challenges you should carefully consider when deciding whether to work with an overseas supplier.
Dealing with different time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and delays, and maintaining quality control can be difficult when dealing with a distant supplier when monitoring and overseeing specifications becomes a little more complicated. Add in lead time delays and unforeseen costs with shipping and custom procedures - and your project timeline (as well as your budget) could be impacted. You also must consider the intellectual property concerns when dealing with suppliers in different legal jurisdictions, potentially increasing the risk of unauthorised use or replication.
It's essential to thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons based on your project's needs, risk tolerance, and your ability to manage the complexities that might arise from an international partnership.
