CGTech office

CGTech has opened a new office based in Gloucestershire as a result of ongoing business success.

The office is situated next to SGS Berkley Green UTC, and forms part of the cyber security and digital centre buildings. Gavin Powell, technical support manager, says: “We understand the importance of delivering and maintaining an exceptional level of support for our customers. The opening of this office will provide us with a central hub for support, additional training facilities and a great opportunity to strengthen and grow our technical team.”
For further information www.cgtech.co.uk

Lasers for the mainstream market

The latest high-power fibre-laser cutting machines from Amada, the ENSIS-AJ 6 and 9 kW, are aimed at any manufacturer needing fast piercing and cutting across a range of materials.

These high-power fibre lasers offer a host of specially developed technologies designed to overcome common laser-cutting challenges. Ease-of-use, reliability and a high level of modular automation options also feature.
Core to the advanced capability of ENSIS-AJ highpower fibre lasers is Amada’s ‘Variable Beam Control’ technology, whereby the laser beam is automatically adapted to deliver stable cutting across all material types and thicknesses. Variable Beam Control can also change instantly between a high-power density beam for piercing and a high-speed, high-quality beam for cutting, thus reducing cycle time. Regarding set-up times, only a single lens is required to process thin-to-thick materials, helping to maximise machine uptime and eliminate costly operator errors.
The company’s Auto Collimation technology is a further stand-out feature of the machines as it delivers beam diameter and focus-point control for high cutting speeds and surface quality, reducing the need for secondary finishing operations. Auto Collimation also produces a wider cut kerf on thicker materials, making for easier part removal from the sheet to reduce handling time.
“By combining our proven Variable Beam Control technology, which we have used since 2014, with our Auto Collimation technology, the high-power ENSIS models give new and existing customers a significant advantage in a competitive market,” says Matt Wood, senior product manager at Amada Europe. “In fact, 25 mm mild steel can be pierced in as little as 1 second on the 9 kW version, saving significant processing time.”
For further information www.amada.co.uk

Quickgrind grows UK support team

The team at Quickgrind has expanded with the appointment of Mark Aspinall, who joins the cutting-tool manufacturer as its new technical support manager for the northwest.

Aspinall has more than 30 years of manufacturing experience, moving from an apprentice toolmaker and CNC machinist, through manufacturing engineering and leadership roles with prominent aerospace manufacturers like BAE Systems and Safran Nacelles. For the past three years Aspinall has put this experience into training apprentices at Training 2000 Ltd.
For further information www.quickgrind.com

Kimla laser cutter at Barrnon

Barrnon Ltd has invested in a bespoke laser-cutting machine from MBA Engineering to work with its 6 kW fibre laser source from IPG Photonics, which features a beam splitter.

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The split beam means the company can now run its robotic welder and laser-cutting machine using just one source, maximising laser utilisation, as when Barrnon is not cutting, it can weld.
Barrnon director Andy Barr says: “I’d heard about the speed and efficiency of Kimla machines and went to see them for myself at MBA Engineering. After witnessing it first hand, we decided to purchase a 1530 Powercut Linear fibre laser to share the source with our robotic welder. We needed a truly bespoke machine to be fitted around the source, and MBA Engineering was able to deliver this.
“It’s fair to say we’ve been very impressed with the machine so far, and the additional support we have received since the installation provides great peace of mind,” he adds.
MBA Engineering also transported and installed the machine, liaising directly with IPG Photonics during the process, and working with the team onsite.
MBA Engineering’s managing director Bradley McBain says: “Providing a machine without a source is a very unique project, but the flexibility of the Kimla machines enables us to provide a completely bespoke service to meet a manufacturer’s requirements. As well as delivering on this project from the beginning, we will also be offering ongoing support.”
For further information https://mba-eng.co.uk/

New contracts create jobs at MPD

A total of 11 jobs are being created at one of the Black Country’s fastest growing foundries after it announced a number of contract wins.

Midland Pressure Diecasting (MPD) is looking to recruit four casters, four manufacturing operatives and three linishers as part of expansion plans that will help it target sales of £5m by the end of the year. The extra staff will take the total workforce up to 60 and give MPD the required capacity to deliver the volumes generated by the new business wins, which include a £100,000 contract for lighting sector components.
Due to the increasing workload, the company has just completed the first phase of its new factory layout, which will boost productivity. This work has included the movement of plant and machinery to create a better flow and the installation of energy-efficient lighting. MPD also recently purchased a Doosan CNC vertical machining centre and new spark eroder to help with growing demand from clients looking to re-shore due to quality issues from overseas suppliers.
For further information http://midlandpressurediecasting.co.uk/