The Digital Path to Aerospace and Defence Machining – Webinar Series
In precision manufacturing, the gulf between programmed toolpaths and machine reality is shrinking profits, slowing development, and introducing risk on every contract. This 2025 four-part series is built for engineers, planners, and senior leaders who demand predictability, not guesswork.
Hosted by Dr. Rob Ward and delivered in collaboration with AMRC Machining Group experts, the series takes you on a structured learning journey — from foundational CAM challenges to the most demanding use cases in 5-axis blisk machining and ultra-large defence forgings.
Each session dissects real-world problems using Virtual Machining and DigitalCNC’s kinematic modelling, showing how to eliminate costly trial cuts, validate complex geometries, and make confident, data-driven decisions before the first chip is cut.
Webinar One | Thursday 20th November 15:00 GMT
Conquering the Digital Gap: Advanced CAM, Virtual Machining and DigitalCNC for Precision Machining
Precision machining is defined by unforgiving materials, complex geometries, and non-negotiable quality demands. Even the most carefully programmed toolpath can fail on the shop floor due to the “Delta between CAM and CNC”—the fundamental mismatch between the theoretical model and the reality of the real world.
This introductory webinar breaks down the core CAM Challenges in Precision Machining. We will define the Industry Drivers pushing manufacturers toward digital solutions and provide a foundational understanding of the modern digital toolbox required to guarantee part quality and minimize costly physical prove-outs.
Learn how to leverage Virtual Machining to bridge the gap between design and production, ensuring precision and predictability from the very first cut.
If you have any questions about this webinar or the series, please email info@digitalcnc.ai.
Watch a recording of the full webinar below.
Hosted by CEO Dr Rob Ward
Expert Insight from our Guest Speakers
Emily Pickford – Technical Fellow
AMRC
Rich Bonnell – Innovation Fellow
AMRC
Webinar Two | Thursday 12th February 15:00 GMT
High-Speed, High-Value: Mastering Adaptive Milling Strategies
“High-Speed Machining Validation – When Every Second Counts”
Adaptive milling (Dynamic Milling) has revolutionised roughing operations—maximising Material Removal Rate while extending tool life on demanding materials like Titanium and Aluminium. But there’s a critical planning problem: predicting actual cycle times when adaptive toolpaths create constantly varying cutting conditions.
Join CEO Dr Rob Ward alongside AMRC’s Machining Group experts as we dive deep into adaptive milling strategies and reveal how to overcome the industry’s biggest planning hurdle: the gap between programmed time and machine reality.
What You’ll Learn:
How adaptive toolpaths optimise chip load and tool engagement for aggressive material removal
Why conventional CAM time estimates fail with dynamic toolpaths
Achieving accurate cycle time prediction through kinematic simulation and G-code analysis
Virtual verification techniques to validate complex adaptive strategies before cutting
Discover how advanced virtual machining transforms adaptive milling from a trial-and-error process into a predictable, data-driven operationenabling precise quoting, optimised scheduling, and confident process planning.
If you have any questions about this webinar or the series, please email info@digitalcnc.ai.
Watch a recording of the full webinar below.
Hosted by CEO Dr Rob Ward
Expert Insight from our Guest Speakers
Aerostructures and Landing Gear Team, The Machining Group, AMRC
Ryan Fletcher – Innovation Fellow
AMRC
Joseph Berner – Senior Project Engineer
AMRC
Webinar Three | Thursday 9th April 14:00 GMT
What Your CAM Software Doesn’t Tell You About 5-Axis Machining
Feedrate fluctuations in simultaneous 5-axis create witness marks and surface defects – but CAM can’t show you where they’ll occur. The result? Surface artifacts you don’t discover until the part comes off the machine.
The problem isn’t your CAM system or your machine.
It’s the invisible gap between what CAM assumes and what your machine can actually deliver. Learn how to bridge the gap between CAM and CNC for 5-axis work – using machine-specific kinematic data to predict and prevent quality issues.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why feedrate variations in 5-axis show up as finish defects
- Why 3+2 is often faster than 5-axis
- Why vector programming needs machine-specific validation
- Identifying slowdown zones that create witness marks—before cutting metal
- Testing strategies offline to negate finish defects caused by feedrate fluctuations
Real case study: 5-axis aerofoil case study – pinpointing exact slowdown zones and surface defects—in hours instead of days on the machine.
Who Should Attend:
-
CNC Programmers laying down 5-axis toolpaths
- Production managers tired of surprised cycle times
- Quality Engineers investigating surface defects
- Anyone transitioning from 3-axis to 5-axis machining
35-minute presentation +10-minute Q&A – including demo and case studies
If you have any questions about this webinar or the series, please email info@digitalcnc.ai.
Hosted by CEO Dr Rob Ward
Expert Insight from our Guest Speakers
Dr Robert Carroll –
Technical Fellow
AMRC
Bethany Cousins – Innovation Fellow
AMRC
Webinar Four | Thursday 14th May 15:00 GMT
Building the Business Case
“Building the Business Case – ROI & Implementation of Virtual Machining”
Perfect For:
- Engineering managers justifying virtual validation investment
- Production directors seeking capacity gains without new machines
- Solution provider leadership evaluating competitive differentiation
- Operations leaders responsible for NPI and process development
What You’ll Learn:
- Quantifying the true cost of trial-and-error (direct + indirect + opportunity costs)
- ROI models: £ capacity gains + £ trial elimination examples
- Integration with existing CAM, verification, and shop floor workflows
- Change management: Getting buy-in from programmers and customers
45-minute presentation + live demo + 10-minute Q&A
If you have any questions about this webinar or the series, please email info@digitalcnc.ai.
Hosted by CEO Dr Rob Ward