Ficep UK has supplied a Valiant CNC drilling line to Scottish engineering and construction firm, AJ Engineering, as part of a multi-million-pound expansion that has seen the business expand its Forres-based manufacturing site by 4.7 acres. The fully automated Valiant line will help AJ Engineering to double its production capabilities and is already driving up demand for services.

Ficep’s Valiant is a three-spindle system for processing a full range of rolled structural steel shapes. The machine performs marking, drilling and cutting tasks on long steel sections, freeing-up AJ Engineering’s workforce to focus on complex fabrications. Among the Valiant’s key features are: its tool-change system, which accommodates up to six tools per spindle; double vices and dual alignment systems to improve material clamping; and sub-axis spindle positioning that enables simultaneous drilling on all three surfaces.

Alan James, managing director of AJ Engineering, says: “Working with Ficep has been extremely positive, from initial introduction and the ordering process [which happened virtually due to the pandemic], to the installation ahead of time and extensive training. Also important was the fact that Ficep has a ‘family’ of machines which, in time, can be added to existing manufacturing process.”

He continues: “The machinery gives back time to our staff so they can concentrate on the more technical projects and no longer have to spend time measuring or marking beams – or drilling them – the new machine does this automatically from the details downloaded directly from our drawing office. With this technology, and having more operators available, we’ll be able to target a greater number of complex projects.”

For further information
www.ficep.co.uk