Multi-beam folder at Bison

The new Morgan Rushworth EXR multi-beam folding machine is now installed in the Bison Machinery showroom for demonstrations and product trials. The EXR is said to be an extremely versatile folding machine fitted with a rotating top beam to allow both straight and box and pan folding, even within the same part.

The Morgan Rushworth EXR range of CNC folders features a rotating upper beam with one straight rail and one set of high divided tools that can both be utilised in the same folding program without any manual tool change. Such a versatile design enables high accuracy, high consistency and high productivity as there is only one initial tool set up to carry out. This configuration is suitable for many folding operations, including rectangular panel work with return edges to the four sides. The operator sets the program, folds the two long lengths with the straight rail, before the upper beam rotates automatically and the two ends are folded with the high divided tools.

The back gauge is integral to the rear support table, which is suitable for the folding of large sheets as the weight of the material is supported, resulting in a single operator performing traditional two-operator jobs. The standard 2D touchscreen CNC controls all upper beam clamping and rotating, folding beam and back-gauge movements, with an optional 3D touchscreen available to further assist the operator. Both controllers provide a view of the folded part, calculating whether the job is possible or not, the developed length and the bending sequence – including whether to turn material over or around.

Features of the EXR folding machine include: bending angle from 0-150°; 20° 1 mm sharp nose clamping beam rail with 25 mm clearance; 10 and 25 mm wide folding beam rails; and fast 1 m powered back gauge.

For further information
www.bisonmachinery.co.uk

Integration of bending and robotics

In 2015, Wesbart decided to carry out a full review of all products and manufacturing processes, which involved looking at every aspect of manufacturing to help improve productivity and reduce costs.

One of the main processes which required investment was folding. All aluminium and stainless steel parts were folded at Wesbart using a manual system with an operator. Due to an increase in orders it was necessary to use subcontractors to meet demand.

“Our production runs can range from 150 parts to more than 5000,” says sales executive David Patey. “We carried out some testing of various automation options and found the parts would need to be fed into the cell on a conveyor system. As a result, we contacted a locally based robot integration company [ICS Robotics and Automation] to work with Bystronic and develop a suitable system. We chose to use Kuka robots and the Bystronic Xpert 40 press brake due to their small footprint.”
ICS designed a bespoke space-saving set up using three Kuka robots, one operating each press brake with another feeding components from the conveyors. A camera system was included to identify the parts and confirm their correct placement on the conveyor.

The system arrived in January 2021 and has already shown a great deal of potential. According to Wesbart, the Bystronic press brakes are incredibly quick and reliable, while the user interface is very easy to operate, which helps expedite robot programming for the company’s components.

“With the investment made in the bending cell we hope to remain a market leader based on the quality, price and lead time of our products,” concludes Patey. “We also hope it will allow us to enter new markets.”

For further information
www.bystronic.co.uk

New alternative lender launches

Blazehill Capital has launched as a new alternative lender that provides credit and working capital funding to mid-market manufacturers requiring additional financial support which they cannot get from traditional providers. The company typically provides secured lending ranging from £5m to £30m per transaction, delivering fast and flexible credit solutions to companies with non-standard lending requirements that are often complex and time critical. Blazehill’s ambition is to build a lending book of over £1bn in five years.

The team focuses on supporting management teams through tough trading periods, providing them with the necessary capital and financial breathing space to deliver on a turnaround plan. Blazehill Capital has the backing of a number of high-profile investors, including major financial institution WAFRA Capital Partners, the global credit investment firm with $5.1bn in assets under management and specialisms in asset-based finance.

For further information www.blazehill.com

DMC to pioneer data platform

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) in Silverstone will be the first business to officially adopt Renishaw’s new manufacturing connectivity and data platform, Renishaw Central, across its complete additive and subtractive manufacturing operations. Ongoing collaboration between the two companies has evolved from Renishaw initially supplying the DMC with additive manufacturing (AM) equipment, followed by several of its metrology solutions, to the implementation of this digital platform.

Driving the future of AM by realising a fully connected process chain, the DMC is leveraging actionable data to deliver a step-change in manufacturing capability. Renishaw Central will play a crucial role in this ambition and enable the DMC to embrace Industry 4.0 practices and principles. Not only will Renishaw Central provide end-to-end manufacturing data capture, it will allow DMC engineers to further refine part design and processes by effectively implementing capabilities that include predictive analytics and AI.

For further information
www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.co.uk

UK car production soars

UK car production rose 46.6% in March, the first increase after 18 months of decline, with 115,498 cars manufactured, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). March output for the domestic market rose 19.4% to 20,269 units with exports also increasing, up 54.1% to 95,229 units. More than eight-in-10 (82.5%) cars were sent overseas in March. The EU remained by far the number one market for UK-made cars, with more than half (51.9%) of exports heading across the Channel.

UK commercial vehicle (CV) production also increased in March, by 16.9%, as 6166 units left factory gates, thus indicating the CV sector’s first month of growth since September 2020. In addition, March UK engine production climbed 31.7% compared with the same month last year. Engine output for domestic and overseas markets increased 50.4% and 19.9% respectively.

For further information www.smmt.co.uk