Unison Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines and inventor of precision all-electric tube manipulation, has joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC). 

A specialist centre within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the AFRC provides member organisations with access to advanced equipment and technical expertise covering manufacturing, material behaviour and processing. 

As the only tube bending machinery manufacturer within the AFRC, Unison will provide specialist consultancy and technical support across tube manipulation processes, while contributing to collaborative research projects. 

“We’re delighted to have been invited to join the AFRC,” comments Unison joint managing director Alan Pickering. “Our tier-two membership will enable us to support even more of the world’s leading companies with their tube manipulation, wire and end-forming challenges. At the same time, we look forward to utilising the AFRC’s technical forming and modelling expertise to assist in developing several new tube forming technologies currently in the pipeline, particularly for the aerospace sector.” 

AFRC director Brad Wynne adds: “As the UK’s leading manufacturer of ultra-precise tube-bending machinery, Unison will work with us to extend our research into rotary draw tube bending. We envisage that initial projects will explore areas such as tooling, process modelling, physical trials and material analysis, helping unlock rotary draw bending for higher-integrity applications across defence, aerospace, energy and other advanced manufacturing sectors.” 

Tracy McCarroll, head of membership and strategic relations at NMIS, says the partnership will also provide opportunities to combine Unison’s expertise and equipment with the capabilities of other AFRC members: “We look forward to involving Unison in suitable R&D proposals that would benefit from their considerable knowledge and input.” 

More information www.unisonltd.com 

For Clad4orm, production reliability is not a luxury; it is the foundation of the business. Based near Chester, the company designs and manufactures roof and wall cladding products, supplying the roofing, cladding and wider construction sectors nationwide. 

As production has grown, so has the need for reliable machinery and consistent output. Today, Clad4orm operates six SafanDarley machines across four production lines: two E-Brake 3 m/100 T press brakes and four M-Shear M310-6 guillotine shears. Each line combines a shear with a press brake, creating a structured workflow that helps minimise bottlenecks and maintain predictable output. 

Uptime is particularly important because delays in production can have a direct impact on installation schedules. For Clad4orm, the durability and consistent performance of the SafanDarley machines provide the reliability needed to keep production moving. 

The original investment was driven by machine quality, but the relationship has developed through more than machinery alone. Proven durability, high service levels, fast support and a relationship built on trust have all contributed to SafanDarley remaining Clad4orm’s preferred supplier. 

This factor is particularly important for the company’s bespoke flashing and fabrication work, where precision and repeatability are essential. E-Brake press brakes provide the control and consistency required to produce high-quality custom components. 

With further projects and innovations planned, Clad4orm is also preparing for increased production capacity. Additional investment with SafanDarley is already being considered, reinforcing the long-term partnership between the two companies. 

For Clad4orm, the approach is straightforward: maintain the same standards and reliability while scaling production to meet future demand. When uptime matters, investing in machinery that simply keeps working makes sound business sense. 

More information www.safandarley.com 

In metal forming, feeding two sheets into a press instead of one can cause severe tool damage and costly downtime. Historically, double-sheet detection has often been associated with complex and expensive systems designed for high-volume automotive production. Contrinex is changing that with its smart double-sheet sensors, combining affordability with the flexibility required by modern manufacturing. 

Based on the company’s smart measurement technology, the sensors can be reconfigured to detect different metal types and sheet thicknesses, enabling manufacturers to process materials ranging from steel to aluminium without changing sensors. 

Configuration is equally flexible. Using the PocketCodr configurator and dedicated mobile app, technicians can enter the sheet material and thickness and set switching points within minutes, without programming. This approach is suitable where production involves consistent materials and rapid set up is necessary. 

Alternatively, the latest sensor version can be configured directly via any IO-Link Master. This allows detection parameters to be adjusted from the production system when changing between different materials, making the sensors particularly suitable for automated lines and mixed production. 

Contrinex has also designed the sensors to withstand the harsh conditions associated with stamping and forming. Its ‘Full-Inox’ technology uses a one-piece V2A (AISI 304) stainless-steel housing, providing resistance to chemical cleaning and physical impact. For particularly demanding applications, ActivStone-coated versions feature a rugged ceramic shield for additional protection against wear. 

By combining non-contact detection with flexible configuration, robust construction and multi-channel monitoring, Contrinex smart double-sheet sensors provide an economical way to protect valuable tooling and reduce unplanned downtime. 

PLUS Automation holds more than 2000 sensors in UK stock, supporting engineers with factory automation, process automation and machine safety solutions from Contrinex, Satron Instruments and ReeR Safety. 

More information www.plusautomation.co.uk

One of the UK’s largest independent workspace furniture designers and manufacturers, Gresham Office Furniture operates from a 200,000 sq ft factory on a 14-acre site in Bolton. In early 2025, the company installed three machines from BLM Group UK, including an electric press brake. 

The investment has enabled Gresham to bring all metal furniture component manufacture in-house, having previously outsourced around two-thirds of production. 

“The BLM acquisitions were part of a £7m investment last year that also included a new enterprise resource planning system and a Homag line for processing wood-based panels,” explains operations manager David Openshaw. “Insourcing all of our metal component manufacture has been a major benefit, as Brexit, swiftly followed by Covid and then war in Ukraine, all played into lengthening lead times from our subcontractors.” 

He continues: “We pride ourselves on quick deliveries to customers in 10 to 15 days from receipt of order, so we wanted total control over the supply of all office furniture components. Our latest investments have delivered exactly that.” 

The BLM STR Verde 2.6 m/100 T press brake features LED-guided tool positioning, with lights along the upper beam indicating precisely where punches and dies should be placed. The system also guides operators during sequential bending operations, reducing set-up times and errors. 

An infrared laser measures bend angles in real time, automatically compensating for spring-back and material variation. Optimised parameters can then be saved for future production. 

The press brake’s integrated EsaBend 3D software also accepts STEP files generated from Gresham’s Autodesk Inventor CADCAM system. EsaBend identifies available tooling, applies crowning and spring-back adjustments, and generates the G-code, helping ensure the first component is right-first-time. 

More information www.blmgroup.com