Case Study: Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre achieves world-record-grade precision machining for the Bloodhound supersonic car with Vero Software's Edgecam

World Record Bid 1,000 mph Supersonic Car Relies On Edgecam

The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) was commissioned to machine the rear sub-frame panels for the Bloodhound 1,000 mph World Land Speed Record bid. The challenge was extreme: 1.6 × 1.0 m panels milled from 80 mm billets down to 20 mm with minimum wall thicknesses of 6 mm, very little extra stock (only ~30 mm oversize), and demanding tolerances (as tight as ±0.05 mm for walls and ±0.025 mm for holes), all while avoiding distortion and ensuring parts would mate precisely in the assembly.

Nuclear AMRC used Edgecam to build a full 3D machine setup, employ a three-side machining strategy with mainly 3-axis milling (plus indexed 4th-axis features), and tailor toolpaths for clamping and finish. Edgecam’s Code Wizard enabled rapid, confident post‑processor adaptation for the Starragheckert HEC 1800, and the optimized toolpaths and simulations minimised distortion, met the tight tolerances and delivered accurate, production-ready components on schedule.

Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Andrew Wright

Production Engineer