25+ years in precision engineering
Trained toolmaker. CNC milling, CAM programming, injection-mould design and engineering management, in the UK and the Czech Republic.
CAM programming · 5-axis support · Malvern, UK
CNC parts programmed, proven and into production.
I help UK manufacturers who are short of time, people or 5-axis experience: hyperMILL® programming from 3-axis to simultaneous 5-axis, jig and fixture design, and hands-on support on your own machines.
Proven on your machine
Programs are proved on your machines, with first-off samples, before I hand them over ready for production.
On site, remotely or both
I program on my own hyperMILL licence and I'm happy to travel. I work with manufacturers across the UK.
01Visit & understand
02Program, remote or at the machine
03Prove & first-off
04Hand over
About
What I've learned across the industry
I'm Petr Dobias, founder and lead CAM engineer of Gaptia Solutions Ltd, a small engineering company in Malvern, Worcestershire.
I studied toolmaking and have spent more than 25 years in precision engineering: CNC milling, CAM programming, injection-mould design and engineering management. I once led a team of 14 designers and programmers at an injection-mould toolmaker, so I'm used to working closely with production, quality and customers.
Since moving to the UK in 2019 I've programmed and machined mould cores, cavities and electrodes, set and run 5-axis machines for precision subcontract work, and machined R&D and prototype parts on machine beds from 500 mm to 4 m. Gaptia Solutions brings all of that to your shop floor.
Career
- 2025 –Founder & Lead CAM Engineer · Gaptia Solutions Ltd, Malvern
CAM programming, fixture design and machining support for UK precision manufacturers.
- 2023 – 2025CNC Engineer, R&D · Future Advanced Manufacture Ltd, Cheltenham
3- and 5-axis machining of R&D and prototype parts on Mazak, DMG MORI and Hedelius (Fanuc, Heidenhain), hyperMILL programming.
- 2022 – 20235-Axis CNC Machinist · Styles Precision Ltd, Hartlebury
5-axis setting and machining of precision parts across many industries.
- 2019 – 2021CAM Programmer & CNC Machinist · Altaras International Worcester
hyperMILL programming of cores, cavities and inserts for wax-injection moulds; graphite EDM electrodes.
- 1998 – 2019Machinist → CAM programmer → Engineering Manager · Formy Tachov s.r.o., Czech Republic
20 years at an injection-mould toolmaker: Heidenhain programming, 3- and 5-axis CAM (WorkNC), electrode and tool design (CATIA V5), and six years leading a team of 14.
What you can expect
- One engineer, start to finish: the person who quotes is the person who programs and proves it.
- Respect for your way of working: your tooling, your machines, your team's preferences.
- Insured: professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
- Confidential: I'll gladly sign your NDA.
Services
How I can help
CAM programming in hyperMILL
From 3-axis and 4-axis rotary tables to simultaneous 5-axis, written remotely on my own hyperMILL licence or at your machine, and matched to your machines, tooling and controls.
Ask about this →Jig & fixture design
Fixtures that cut the number of set-ups, hold difficult shapes securely and keep faces clear for 5-axis access.
Ask about this →Design for manufacture reviews
Feasibility and DfM reviews before a job reaches the machine, so problems are found on screen, not on the spindle.
Ask about this →Program proving & first-off samples
I prove programs on your machines, run first-off samples and hand over optimised programs ready for production.
Ask about this →Hands-on machining cover
An experienced setter or programmer on your machines when you're short of one, whether for holidays, a backlog or a new 5-axis machine.
Ask about this →Have a part, a backlog or a new machine?
Tell me what's going on and we'll work out together what makes sense: a single program, a fixture, or a few days on site.
Talk it through →Capabilities
Machines, controls & materials
Hands-on experience from the shop floor, not just from the screen.
| CAM / CAD | hyperMILL® (own licence) · hyperCAD®-S |
|---|---|
| Machining | 3-axis · 4-axis rotary · 3+2 · simultaneous 5-axis |
| Machines | 3- and 5-axis machining centres from DMG MORI, Mazak, Hedelius, HAAS and Bridgeport; machine beds from 500 mm to 4 m |
| Controls | Heidenhain · Fanuc · HAAS |
| Materials | Aluminium · steels · stainless steels · tool & die steels · titanium · plastics · copper · graphite |
| Typical parts | Injection-mould cores, cavities and inserts · aerospace brackets and prototypes · housings · hinges · fixtures · EDM electrodes |
| Sectors | Automotive tooling · aerospace · industrial and R&D · medical & pharmaceutical · oil, gas & renewable energy |
| Working | On site, remotely or both · across the UK · PI & public liability insured · NDA on request |
Download capability sheet (PDF) ↓ One page, easy to forward to a colleague.
How I work
From first visit to handover
- 01
Tell me about the job
Send a model and drawing, or just describe the part, backlog or machine. Use the quote form or email me.
- 02
A visit to your shop floor
I usually start by visiting to understand your machines, tooling and the way your team prefers to work.
- 03
Programming, remote or at your machine
I program remotely on my own hyperMILL licence, using your post-processor. Or I can work at a desk beside your machine, programming and running parts at the same time.
- 04
Proving & first-off samples
I prove the programs on your machines and run first-off samples if needed.
- 05
Handover, ready for production
Once they're right, you get the programs, tool lists and set-up sheets, ready for production.
Projects
Selected work
Examples from 25 years of programming and machining. Click a photo to enlarge it.
Two shoulder bolts, one set-up
An EDM'd profile blank clamped to a custom fixture with two shoulder bolts, which keeps every machined face clear for 5-axis access.
Impeller
Simultaneous 5-axis machining of an impeller.
Aluminium vacuum component
Large R&D / prototype part, machined on a 5-axis machining centre.
Aluminium core
hyperMILL programming of a core for a wax-injection mould used in investment casting, with toolpaths checked in simulation.
Aston Martin grille
Injection-mould tool for an Aston Martin grille.
Headlight insert
3- and 5-axis programming of a headlight mould insert, with graphite electrodes for EDM.
Get a quote
Tell me about your part
Fill in what you know, even if it's rough. Nothing here is binding, and I'll reply personally.
Common questions
Do you work on site or remotely?
Both. I usually start with a visit, then program remotely on my own hyperMILL licence or at a desk beside your machine, and prove the programs with first-off samples on your machines. I'm based in Malvern and happy to travel across the UK.
Which machines and controls do you know?
3- and 5-axis machining centres from DMG MORI, Mazak, Hedelius, HAAS and Bridgeport, with Heidenhain, Fanuc and HAAS controls. See Capabilities.
Is my data safe?
Your files are used only for your job and kept confidential. I'll gladly sign an NDA, and I hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Contact
Let's talk about your next job
Have a part, a backlog or a new machine you'd like to talk through? Get in touch.
Emailinfo@gaptiasolutions.com
Phone+44 (0) 7851 319580
LinkedInPetr Dobias
Based inMalvern, Worcestershire · working across the UK