Compact bending head for new geometries

In the furniture and similar sectors, where the tubes to be bent are often very long and curved into sometimes particularly complex shapes, the bending head must take up as little space as possible to leave room for the shape that the bent tube will assume.

On tube bending machines with right and left-handed bending directions, this need is much less urgent because the possibility of using one or the other bending direction solves many problems of interference between the tube and the machine parts. However, this is not the case on tube bending machines with only one direction of bending. The only way to avoid the risk of interference in the latter case is to reduce the overall dimensions of the bending heads as much as possible.

Precisely to meet this requirement, BLM Group has developed a new compact bending head for its ELECT40 machine that is capable of executing shapes that were previously not possible with only one bending direction. It is clear that for some parts, using a right or left-handed in-process tube bending machine is the only way to produce the components in a single cycle.

The ELECT40 elongated bending head is 35% lower and 31% longer than the standard head.

Furthermore, the design of the head’s dedicated kinematic mechanisms has enabled an increase in the speed of both the bending arm (+20%) and of the clamp and pressure die (+25%). As a result, a reduction in cycle time of about 10% is possible on a typical part with four bends.

For further information
www.blmgroup.com

Mach-Tech doubles turnover

Machining Technology (Mach-Tech) Ltd has more than doubled its turnover in the past couple of years. The company credits the continued application of PSL Datatrack production control software for helping to manage the growth of its customer base and providing the ability to process a significantly higher number of quotations and orders on a daily basis. Last year marked Mach-Tech’s 10th year of using the system, in which time PSL Datatrack has worked closely with the company to develop additional functionality of key software modules, an initiative that has proved mutually beneficial.

For further information
www.psldatatrack.com

Substantial investment drives growth

LBBC Beechwood, a fabrication business forming part of the LBBC Group, has invested a six-figure sum into a large state-of-the-art CNC universal milling machine as part of a major overhaul. The machine will open up new business opportunities in precision engineering projects, as well as bring major benefits to existing customers. The company will now be able to offer a full end-to-end service in the production of specialist fabrications and complex machined parts, without the need to subcontract part way through the manufacturing process.

This significant investment is part of a wider programme of improvements at the Pudsey-based business over the past 18 months.
A portion of the investment fund was secured through a successful application to the Leeds Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which has been used to improve production facilities. Further funding was obtained through the Supply Chain Programme run by the University of Huddersfield, which has contributed towards the funding of a LEAN implementation programme throughout the entire LBBC Group.

The installation of the new machine is the culmination of a whole programme of improvements in the business, including the introduction of lean management processes and a total office and factory refurbishment. These changes will have huge benefits for customers and open up opportunities for new work streams.

Managing director of the group, Howard Pickard, says: “We’re very grateful to the LEP and Huddersfield University for the grants, which will allow the Beechwood division to leap forwards immeasurably in terms of safety, quality, cost and delivery. The investment in the new machine, alongside investment in our people, will ensure we can deliver huge benefits to our valued customers in the years to come.”

For further information
https://lbbcbeechwood.com

Healthy future for subcontractors

Research from Subcon has revealed that more than half (58%) of UK manufacturing businesses currently export, and that exporting volumes have increased for 32% of them over the past 12 months. The research also showed that 83% expect to increase export levels over the next 12 months, while exports are anticipated to grow by up to 10% for half of respondents, and 11-20% for the remaining half.

Two thirds (69%) of manufacturing and engineering businesses used subcontractors in the past year, with 48% expecting to increase the proportion of work given to UK subcontractors over the coming 12 months. This is mainly driven by a lack of in-house capacity (45%), a desire among manufacturers and engineering businesses to focus on core competencies (38%), and gaining access to skills that are lacking in-house (35%).

For further information
www.subconshow.co.uk

Mid-range press brake with ATC

With over 300 ATC (Automatic Tool Change) press brakes installed throughout Europe and more than 1000 globally, Amada is bringing the company’s proprietary ATC technology to its mid-range line-up for the first time. Previously only available on high-end press brakes such as the Amada HG-ATC and its predecessor the HD-ATC, the new Amada HRB-ATC mid-range model responds directly to market demand for a solution of this type using original Amada tooling.

The HRB-ATC features a full size ATC, offering exactly the same number of tool storage racks as the company’s high-end HG-ATC press brake. Furthermore, the machine comes with a package of Amada tools based on an assessment of the customer’s manufacturing requirements. Importantly, the HRB-ATC is completely compatible with Amada AFH/Promecam standard tool sets. As a result, any existing customer using these tools can load them manually to the new machine if desired.

A CNC press brake with ATC capability brings many advantages to companies that want to increase the amount of time their press brake is engaged in actual bending activities. The ATC can reduce set-up times by up to 80% in comparison with an operator loading a tool manually, which is a clear benefit for subcontractors or companies that undertake several tool layout changes a day.

With its ATC and rapid set-up potential, the new press brake is suitable for those processing small batch sizes. Subcontract fabricators serving markets such as refrigeration, kitchen equipment, retail display, furniture and construction, for instance, will benefit.

The machine is initially available as a 100 tonne/3 m model, with a 220 tonne/4 m model planned for release later this year.

For further information
www.amada.eu