MTC delivers 40% capacity boost

Flexiform, a UK designer and manufacturer of office furniture is increasing its production capacity by 40% and will improve productivity by a quarter with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

As a result, the company, which has been manufacturing office furniture in the UK for more than 40 years, will be able to satisfy its fast-growing order book without the need for a significant and costly expansion to its manufacturing facility.
An SME team from the MTC’s Manufacturing Support Services operations, based in Coventry and Liverpool, worked with managers and operators from Flexiform, helping them develop a plan which increases capacity by 40%, with an additional surge capacity of 20%, without increasing site footprint. Furthermore, the multi-million pound investment, together with changes in working practices, will help increase productivity by 25%, with a significant reduction in operational lead time.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Get the most from a sheet-metal brake

Baileigh Industrial specialises in sheet-metal brakes, the major components of which include clamps to hold the sheet metal, a bending plate where the sheet metal rests, and a lever that lifts the bending plate until the desired angle has been achieved.

Hydraulic sheet metal brakes from Baileigh boast a fully welded top beam, bending leaf and solid steel support rods, which help minimise any deflection when bending at full capacity. So, how do users get the most from such machines?
Like with any project, the best place to start is by measuring not once, but twice. By measuring twice, users can avoid multiple bending attempts. Once all the sheet metal required for the project has been cut to the desired sizes, it is time to make the first bend. Slide the metal into the machine until the measurement marks line up with the clamps on either side. Then, simply lower the clamping lever using the handle on the side of the brake and fix it against the sheet metal.
Once in place, lift the lever on the bending blade so that the metal moves up toward the sheet-metal brake. Using the angle guide on the side of the brake, bend the metal until the angle indicator shows the correct angle. Stay in that position for a few seconds before replacing the lever back to its original starting point.
Now all that is left to do is remove the sheet metal and check the bend matches the required angle. If the bend is not quite right it is always possible to re-insert the metal into the clamps and bend the metal further.
For further information www.baileighindustrial.co.uk

SevenHills unveils tube-bending facility

SevenHills Fabrication, part of the Steetley Corner Group of companies, has expanded its production to include bespoke tube bending through inward investment.

The company has invested £60,000 in an electric tube-bending machine to broaden its offer and complement its established design, consultancy and fabrication services, which include laser cutting and welding.
James Harding-Terry, managing director of Sheffield-based SevenHills, says: “The installation of a tube-bending machine not only adds significantly to our function as a one-stop-shop for fabrication projects, it is an important stage in the company’s transition to Industry 4.0, which is essential for future-proofing the business. It is a highly flexible piece of equipment with a range from 19 to 90 mm external diameter tube, and allows for bending complex tube geometries within seconds of programming.”
The AMOB NDH series electric tube-bending machine comes with a hydraulic mandrel extractor, hydraulic clamp and pressure die, and can be used to fabricate a variety of products, ranging from hand-rails to complex, bespoke geometric shapes.
Demonstrating 31% year-on-year growth with a turnover of £2.5 million, SevenHills will see investment reach £1m over the past two years.
“Increasing investment will see us install more new machinery, including a Bystronic press brake and a Panasonic robot welder before the end of the year,” says Harding-Terry. “This follows the commissioning of a £550,000 laser cutter less than two years ago. Although there is a lot of business uncertainty around at the moment due to Brexit, investment cannot stand still and UK businesses like ours must be ready to compete at the highest level, which means using the best resources.”
For further information www.sevenhillsfabrication.com

Corbetts expands

A 159-year-old Telford-based manufacturer has invested £105,000 into making sure its customers receive products when they need them most.

Boosted by a recent £300,000 contract haul, Corbetts the Galvanizers has purchased two MAN TGX articulated lorries to take its fleet of vehicles to 10 artics, three rigids and 25 trailers – all complete with the firm’s new corporate identity. This means the company, which specialises in hot-dip galvanised parts, now collects and delivers 95% of material through its own trucks.
For further information https://wcorbett.co.uk/

Filtermist event marks distribution centre opening

At a special anniversary open house held on 13 September, Filtermist International showcased just how much the company has changed since it was established in 1969.

The event, which attracted over 75 local dignitaries and delegates from across the manufacturing sector, not only marked the firm’s 50th birthday, but doubled-up as the official opening of its Telford Distribution Centre, located just a few minutes’
walk from Filtermist’s purpose-built HQ on the T54 Business Park. At the open house, live demonstrations were performed by the company’s skilled spinners.
For further information www.filtermist.co.uk