A new force in cutting edge and innovative multi-axis machining has entered the composites industry. SHAPE, based in Witney, Oxfordshire, is the brainchild of respected motorsport engineer and former McLaren and Super Aguri F1 designer, Peter McCool.
SHAPE will become one of the leading suppliers of 5-axis machined patterns, moulds and structural cores for the UK’s F1 and Automotive industries because of the innovative technology and experienced team it offers. SHAPE opened for business at the beginning of June and is already producing patterns and moulds for UK automotive companies.
A man with fingers in many pies, McCool, who is also the Technical Director at the new Amlin Aguri team which will run Antonio Felix Da Costa and Katherine Legge in the FIA Formula E Championship, sat down and chatted with Sam Smith during last weeks FIA Formula E test at Donington Park.
“SHAPE will take CNC machining into an exciting and highly efficient new era,” says McCool. “The development in new engineering procedures and technology is what really excites me and I have pinpointed several areas where SHAPE will be leaders in showcasing this.”
“Combining this vision with assembling a great team of machinists, programmers and pattern-makers, SHAPE is able to offer industry leading machining and pattern making services to the Aerospace, Automotive, Motorsport and many other sectors.”
SHAPE has already delivered machined tooling block patterns and moulds to the first customers and is particularly interested in working with new LMP ventures. McCool has experience of working on endurance racing projects through his three year stint at Lola between 2009-12.
SHAPE is also targeting several industries but the initial business is likely to come from the Motorsport and Automotive industries, both of which McCool has been immersed in for the last twenty-five years.
“SHAPE intends to become the leading supplier for machined tooling for the composites manufacturing industry.”
“We offer 5-axis machining on a variety of materials, using our new CMS machine.” states McCool. “For our motorsport customers we can machine epoxy tooling block, PU modelling board, carbon fibre, honeycomb cores and a variety of foams. For our automotive and aerospace customers we can supply large machined aluminium moulds and press tools.”
Working with a British automotive manufacturer, Shape is currently delivering prototype tools for a significant new project.
About SHAPE Machining
SHAPE Machining was formed by Peter McCool in April 2014. McCool has 25 years of experience in Aerospace, Automotive and Motorsport, designing an array of carbon fibre parts and components. SHAPE has been formed to supply leading brands and industry leaders with 5-axis machined patterns, moulds and press tools for the carbon composite manufacturing industry.
As well as supplying conventional 5-axis machining services, SHAPE also has an R&D department that is specialising in the development of cost-effective and large capacity CNC pattern machining. These new technologies involve 6-axis robotic systems and Hexapod technology. The SHAPE team will begin utilising these in the second half of 2014.
SHAPE is based in a 5,300sqft facility in Witney, Oxfordshire.
As well as McCool, SHAPE Machining Ltd is supported by investors who have experience and proven track records in running cutting edge International manufacturing companies.
Contact: Peter McCool
Tel: +44 (0) 1993 225 091
E-Mail: peter.mccool@shape-machining.co.uk
Website: www.shape-machining.co.uk
