Game-Changing 4th-Axis Workholding Captured at Qualtek Engineering with MicroLoc System

We’ve just filmed something truly innovative at Qualtek Engineering in Scotland — and it’s coming soon to MTDCNC. If you’ve ever wrestled with setting up multiple part types on your vertical machining centre (VMC), especially when incorporating 4-face machining on a 4th-axis unit, this workholding breakthrough could be a game-changer for your shop floor.

Based in Scotland, Qualtek Engineering is known for its precision manufacturing expertise, delivering everything from small, intricate components to larger-scale parts, across a wide range of batch sizes and sectors. Their commitment to flexibility, quality, and rapid turnaround has made them a trusted partner in aerospace, oil & gas, medical, and other demanding industries.

With such varied production demands, setup efficiency and repeatability are critical. That’s where MicroLoc, from MICRON Workholding Ltd, enters the picture.

What is MicroLoc?

The MicroLoc modular workholding system is designed for precision, repeatability, and maximum flexibility. It allows machinists to secure multiple part types or multiple instances of the same part with ease, all while maintaining tight tolerances and improving throughput. The system’s modular nature makes it ideal for quick changeovers, significantly reducing downtime and setup complexity — especially when combined with a 4th-axis rotary table.

At Qualtek, the integration of MicroLoc has enabled simultaneous machining on multiple faces of a part in one setup. By using this workholding innovation with a 4th-axis unit, they’ve been able to reduce handling time, eliminate secondary ops, and dramatically improve cycle times and consistency.

This setup isn’t just smart — it’s scalable, repeatable, and incredibly effective, particularly for subcontractors and production environments where part types and batch sizes can vary significantly.

The full video and behind-the-scenes insight into Qualtek’s application of MicroLoc technology will be available soon on MTDCNC. Whether you’re looking to optimise your 4th-axis machining or improve your setup strategies, this is one solution you won’t want to miss.