Formula Journal

Last week I was kindly invited to the EDM Precision Technologies premises at Silverstone to meet Paul Waldron and discover the behind the scenes of making parts for a F1 car.

EDM (Electro Discharge Machinery) supply 4 UK based teams and 2 others continuously throughout the season. Paul told me about the high pressure the company’s under to deliver to these teams and how EDM has modelled its business around speed and quality. EDM specialises in wire erosion, which enables them to cut difficult machinery with accuracy, and spark erosion, which enables them to machine hard materials. They also have milling machines which create precise shapes and features, this operation is used often when creating F1 parts.

First the F1 team identifies the area that needs improvement, designing the part and approving it within their in-house production team. The team approaches a professional tech buyer with the design drawing, giving them a lead-time. The F1 team then sources an approved supplier, like EDM. The key things F1 teams are looking for is, speed of response, the ability to achieve the lead-time, quality and price.

The approved supplier quotes the team for the required part and within a couple of hours the supplier will receive confirmation of the order.

Production planning starts. The production team need to decided if they have the required stock, buying materials separately if needed. Also if the component needs heat treatment (to enhance the strength and performance of the component). Along with the resources machinery also needs to be planned. The item requires inspection once, but twice, if it has been heat treated. Lastly they deliver the component and send an invoice. Interestingly some parts are so small that members of the team will have them in their hand luggage when going to the race.

A big thank you to Martin Knapman for introducing me to Paul.