Unit 7-11 Vantage Park, Coborn Avenue, Sheffield, S9 1DA, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1709 918 120
Unit 7-11 Vantage Park, Coborn Avenue, Sheffield, S9 1DA, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1709 918 120
Dominic Mulvaney - Tester
‘When materials come into the warehouse, they get weighed and given a reference number and job ticket. At that point, it comes through to us so that we can identify the material.
Essentially, it’s our job to prove that the material is what we think it is. After they’ve been tested and processed at our facility, the materials go back out to customers to be used in a variety of settings, including aerospace, so it’s vitally important that we’ve got 100% accuracy. Nowadays, there are so many different types and specifications of alloy that you do have to test it thoroughly to be certain of its makeup.
We test the materials in a number of ways. We have a handheld device which gives us an accurate reading about the composition of a particular material. Regular/common alloys are programmed into it, but others may come back as unknown, or it may have had bits added on, so often an extra test is required.
Secondary checks are then carried out using other testing methods. It’s very technical and you have to have a good understanding of the relevant chemistry. I’ve been doing this job for 10 years now, and I trained on the job. You develop an eye for it, but you never stop learning.
After we’re sure of the makeup of the material, we create a report to confirm our findings. At that point, it goes to our processing team, who clean and cut the material according to the customer’s requirements.
The biggest challenge is to make sure everything is 100% accurate whilst also working under a certain amount of pressure to fulfill the orders. Our customers are trusting us to get it right, every time. In this business, mistakes can have serious consequences. It’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
It’s a great place to work, and although the company is only a few years old, there’s a real team spirit. Everyone pulls together to get the job done.
When I’m not at work, life really revolves around family. I have two young kids who keep me busy! I enjoy football – more watching than playing these days though!’
