Dowse Engineering tackles shop-floor variability with advanced metrology solutions from MSP

In the high-stakes world of precision engineering, consistency isn’t just desirable, it’s essential. For Dowse Engineering, a Bletchley-based firm specialising in micro-mass components for the defence, aerospace, motorsport, and high-end automotive sectors, even the smallest deviations in CNC machining can have huge consequences. The company therefore took a bold step to tackle variability on its shop floor, introducing advanced metrology solutions from MSP across three of its five-axis CNC machines. The result was reduced downtime, sharper accuracy, and more predictable, right-first-time production.

From frustration to innovation

Steve Walker, Director at Dowse Engineering, remembers the frustrations all too well: “We were noticing small variations in parts from machine to machine. Individually, they didn’t seem like much, but over time they added up. Some parts even failed final inspection, and that’s never acceptable in our business.”

The team knew that human error in probe set up was often the culprit, but pinpointing exactly where and fixing it consistently was a challenge. That’s when the company brought in MSP.

“They ran a full assessment across our machines and probes,” Steve recalls. “The takeaway was clear: if we wanted consistency, we needed automation. Manual probe set up just wasn’t cutting it anymore.”

Enter AutoClock, MSP’s device for automatic probe calibration. Instead of relying on manual adjustments, AutoClock finds the calibration artefact’s position and sets up the probe automatically, ensuring micron-level accuracy every time.

“It’s amazing,” he says. “Switching from manual to automatic set up removed so many of the problems we had been chasing. We didn’t realise how much variation a tiny probe error could create until it was gone.”

With probe accuracy assured, Dowse could focus on another source of variability: the machines themselves.

Proactive quality control

MSP then introduced NC-Checker, a system designed to monitor CNC performance and flag inconsistencies.

“Before NC-Checker, we were reacting to problems,” explains Steve . “Now, we can see the issues before they affect production. It’s like having a health check for our machines every day.”

By analysing the reports, Dowse identified subtle set-up discrepancies and performance differences. Fixing these root causes meant parts were consistently right-first-time, reducing waste and boosting efficiency.

“NC-Checker has been a game-changer for us. It keeps our standards high and lets us solve problems quickly, rather than discovering them after the fact.”

Dowse’s innovation journey is not stopping here. The company plans to integrate NC-PartLocator, the final component of MSP’s PerfectPart suite, to automate part alignment for even more precise machining.

“Continuous improvement is part of our DNA,” Steve says. “With AutoClock, NC-Checker and soon NC-PartLocator, we’re not just keeping up with the industry, we’re setting the standard.”

Dowse Engineering’s story is a compelling example of what smart manufacturing can achieve. By combining automation, data-driven insights, and proactive quality control, the company has minimised variability, increased efficiency and ensured consistent, high-quality production.

For manufacturers facing part variation or CNC inconsistencies, Steve’s advice is simple: “Use the right tools. Small errors can snowball, but the right technology can turn your process from frustrating to flawless.”