Inspec, based at Broomgrove Road, Broomhill, was called in to improve reliability and repeatability of the press which is used to make highly specialised and safety-critical parts, including aero-engine shafts and helicopter rotor masts, as well as flanged cylinders, track recoil mechanisms, valve bodies and underwater telecommunications connectors.
The upgraded control system allows press operators to program a sequence of pre-defined actions which allow a particular job to be forged automatically in addition to controlling the press manually.
Programs can be stored in a central database, allowing them to be retrieved for future use and critical parameters can also be recorded during forging.
Inspec's system also incorporates monitoring and diagnostics, allowing any mechanical or electrical problems to be identified quickly and put right.
Firth Rixson Forgings' technical director Robert Guest said: "Inspec have proved themselves invaluable during the planning, installation and aftercare phases of this project, resulting in a significant increase in reliability and reproducibility of product manufactured on this key piece of equipment."
Inspec has followed up its Firth Rixson success by winning a contract to provide control and automation systems for ladle arc furnaces at Corus' Scunthorpe plant, which also incorporates an injection system allowing special additions to be made to the furnaces.
The contract is the second the Sheffield firm has won to upgrade ladle arc furnace systems at Scunthorpe.
Inspec says it has continued the year-on-year growth it has enjoyed since it was founded eight years ago.
Turnover has now exceeds £1.5m and the company has grown the team of professionals at its Sheffield offices, many of whom are graduates of the city's universities.

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