Bunting Magnetics is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of magnets, magnet assemblies and magnetising equipment with globally located manufacturing facilities.
David Summers is a chartered member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and a practitioner of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI). He has qualifications both in ‘Lean Six Sigma’ and management and leadership.
Since joining Bunting Magnetics in March 2025, David has immersed himself in understanding the diverse nature of clients and the supply chain. David became involved in one particularly challenging project involving a 4-pole samarium cobalt (SmCo) rotating magnetic assembly which is used in a permanent magnet motor for an aerospace application. The construction of the complex assembly involves many aspects of the manufacturing process including grinding of magnets, grinding of containment sleeves, and tight tolerance and run-out control of bearing journals. The bearing journals have a 5-micron tolerance, one of the tightest specifications in any application.
The final inspection of this critical bearing journal dimension is subcontracted to the QCI Group, an industry leader in specialist metrology, quality, and engineering solutions. Established over 20 years ago, they specialize in all aspects of metrology, subcontract CMM measurement, quality inspection, rework, and quality engineering. The company continuously evolves to keep pace with industry changes and client needs. QCI’s company ethos mirrors Bunting Magnetics with the aim of developing strong and long-standing client relationships with a customer-centric approach.
When a potential measurement issue was raised by the magnet assembly client, new Quality Manager, David Summers, assembled a team from our supply chain and the client to visit QCI and review the latest methods of measuring this challenging dimension. Within just a few weeks, the client had a new appreciation for the measurement process and capabilities of QCI, as well as an agreed inspection process that would result in reducing the inspection time and, subsequently, cost. Throughout the process, all involved focused on improvement.
In his new role as Quality Manager, David Summers will champion the strengthened Bunting Magnetics Quality Team, focusing on improving processes and designs to meet the expectations of clients when purchasing magnets, magnet assemblies, and magnetising systems.
