An Essex-based manufacturer is using its expertise in cutting systems to design and make vital equipment to support frontline medical staff in the fight against COVID-19. Blackman & White has responded to the national call for urgent PPE by getting its CAD engineers to create a visor that is made from polycarbonate or acetate to make the most of its in-house cutting capabilities.

The firm is looking to utilise spare capacity in the demo room at its facility in Maldon, where Orion and Genesis V machines can use dual motion control routers and laser capabilities to produce 300 units a day. Bosses are now appealing for other businesses to support their efforts by: helping to source material that is currently hard to find or not of the right quality; assisting with product specifications; and identifying healthcare facilities in need of this vital safety equipment.
Eiko White, director at Blackman & White, says: “We can easily make 300 per day, but we’re struggling to source the right quality material; this is where we need help. The big stumbling blocks are 1 mm polycarbonate and 1 mm acetate.
“Our customers, who have been quick to come forward and offer their assistance, have been making do with alternatives, but supplies are drying up and, inherently, the costs are climbing,” she adds. “If we can get access to the right material, we can hopefully do our bit to protect NHS and care workers on the frontline.”
Blackman & White, which employs 28 people, is the UK’s only manufacturer of cutting systems, with all machines designed and manufactured from start to finish at its factory.
For further information www.blackmanandwhite.com

Concept Metal Products has invested in an additional Kimla machine to boost its 10 m metal-cutting offerings.

Having already purchased 10 x 2 m (4 kW) and 4 x 2 m (6 kW) Kimla fibre lasers, the company has ordered a third machine to increase further increase its capacity. The 6 kW, 10 x 2 m machine will be installed at the firm’s Manchester factory by MBA Engineering later this year.
One of the only companies in the northwest to cut and bend up to 10 m lengths, Concept Metal specialises in fabricating larger items for a range of different industries, including highways, rail, nuclear and waste management.
General manager at Concept Metal Products, Dean Barnard, says: “Being able to provide a larger scale of laser-cutting capabilities to our customers and a range of industries is of huge benefit to us. It’s great to be able to offer these services with the high level of efficiency and precision that comes hand-in-hand when working with Kimla machines.
“As this is our third laser-cutting machine investment, we needed a machine able to manufacture long parts as this is something only we can offer in the northwest,” he adds. “Combined with our LVD tandem press, which is capable of forming parts up to 9 m long with first-bend depth up to 605 mm, the additional Kimla laser cutter will assist in boosting this area of the business.”
Managing director of MBA Engineering, Bradley McBain, adds: “This is another example of how we deliver solutions to match a company’s business strategy, rather than simply supply an off-the-shelf solution.”
For further information https://mba-eng.co.uk/