Ultra-Precision Excellence: PEMTec & Rainford Precision Machines Unite

The precision engineering landscape in the UK and Ireland is set for a transformative leap forward with the newly announced partnership between PEMTec, a global leader in precision electrochemical machining (PECM), and Rainford Precision Machines Limited, a trusted name in high-precision cutting tools and machine tool solutions. 

This collaboration marks a strategic alignment of cutting-edge technology and industry expertise, positioning Rainford as PEMTec’s exclusive representative in the UK and Ireland. Together, they promise to redefine manufacturing efficiency, accuracy, and innovation for sectors ranging from aerospace and medical to automotive and defence.

PEMTec’s Precision Electrochemical Machining Technology: Contactless Precision in the Sub-Micron Range

At the heart of this partnership lies PEMTec’s proprietary Precision Electrochemical Machining (PECM) technology, branded as “Pemming.” This advanced process enables contactless, burr-free machining of even the hardest metals—including superalloys like Inconel and Hastelloy—with sub-micron accuracy and exceptional surface finishes (as fine as Ra 0.03 µm). Unlike traditional methods, PECM avoids thermal or mechanical stress, eliminating microcracks while achieving complex geometries in a single workflow (roughing, finishing, and polishing)

How PECM Works

1. Electrolyte Flow: A conductive electrolyte (saltwater) flows between a negatively charged tool (cathode) and the positively charged workpiece (anode).
2. Controlled Ablation: Pulsed electrical currents dissolve material atomically, precisely replicating the tool’s inverse shape onto the workpiece.
3. Non-Contact Precision: The oscillating tool electrode maintains a microscopic gap, ensuring no tool wear and flawless reproducibility.

Advantages for Production Engineering

• Material Versatility: Processes hardened steels, titanium, and brittle alloys without compromising integrity.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces post-processing and tool replacement costs, ideal for prototypes and large series.
• Speed & Automation: Multiple part processing slashes per-part cycle times.
• Sustainability: Chemical-free and energy-efficient compared to conventional machining.

Why Rainford is the Perfect Partner

Rainford’s 30+ years of expertise in micro-machining and its portfolio of world-class brands (e.g., Kern, Benzinger, and Finepart) make it the ideal advocate for PEMTec’s technology. The synergy is already evident: Rainford will showcase PEMTec at the Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2025 exhibition, highlighting its potential for high-value sectors like medical implants and aerospace.

With Rainford’s hands-on technical support and PEMTec’s industrial-grade PECM systems, UK and Irish manufacturers gain a future-proof edge—combining advanced engineering precision with localised service excellence.

A Vision for the Future

This partnership isn’t just about adding another technology to Rainford’s line-up—it’s about empowering manufacturers to break design barriers and achieve unprecedented quality.

As Miles Evans, Rainford’s Managing Director, notes, the integration of PEMTec aligns with their mission to deliver “the crème de la crème of products and services”.

For industries where microns matter, PEMTec and Rainford are poised to drive a new era of zero-defect, high-throughput production.