UK NEWS

UK needs more digital skills funding

Nearly 85% of SME manufacturers are crying out for more government funding to help them bridge the digitals skills divide, says a new report by Oxford Innovation Advice. The report reveals that 80% of companies are looking to digitally upskill their staff but cite the biggest barriers as cost and a lack of in-house knowledge.

Some 68% of the 239 participants are planning to invest in digital technologies, meaning there is a massive opportunity for the new Labour administration to deliver more specialist support. Oxford Innovation Advice has developed a five-point policy action plan that it plans to submit to Government.

Download the report at www.bit.ly/4huBLWF

Grob UK open house opens this week

Registration is now open to attend the Grob Machine Tools (UK) open house event on 13-14 November 2024 at its facility in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. This event will be an opportunity to see live demonstrations of the company’s latest machining and pallet handling automation solutions running alongside its industry 4.0 systems. The aim is to highlight Grob’s expertise in sectors that include aerospace, automotive and medical. Also in attendance will be 21 technical partners exhibiting technologies such as tooling, work holding, metrology, CADCAM and coolant.

More information www.bit.ly/4hvvWIA

ENORMOUS ACCURL PRESS BRAKE BUILDS ON SUCCESS AT AYRSHIRE METALS

Ayrshire Metals Ltd, a leading manufacturer of cold-rolled sections for the construction
industry, has invested in a 14 m long, 640 ton ACCURL 6+1 axis tandem press brake from
Axe & Status. Featuring a wide range of advanced features, the new ACCURL press brake is
raising productivity, quality and traceability to new levels at this progressive and ambitious
manufacturing business.
The Ayrshire Group can trace its origins back to the 1800s, when it was largely a
manufacturer of ships on the west coast of Scotland. The company has come a long way
since then and is now a leading manufacturer of cold-rolled sections at its 6.5-acre owner-
occupied site in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The ISO9001 and CE/CA accredited company,
which also has a subsidiary sales and technical office in Munich, Germany, manufactures
most of its product range from S450 zinc-coated galvanised steel.
Five main product groups comprise the vast majority of manufacturing output. While
traditional business at Ayrshire Metals is purlins/rails, the company also manufactures
mezzanine floors, load-bearing steel framing systems and proprietary products like its
AyrFrame™ lightweight, high-strength modular system and SwagBeam™ portal frame
building system.
Until recently, Ayrshire Metals relied on a press brake that had been running since 1996.
With machine reliability levels falling, the company decided it was time to invest in a new
resource. Indeed, the new press brake is part of a five-year planned investment programme
at Ayrshire Metals.
“Rather than replace like-for-like, we wanted a slightly bigger press brake to provide more
capacity in both length and thickness,” explains managing director Scott Reilly. “We looked
at three potential suppliers, but the responsiveness of Axe & Status caught our attention.
Not only was their communication very clear from the outset, but Axe & Status also grasped
the urgency of our situation as it wasn’t economic to keep repairing our existing press brake.
Another major influence on our purchase decision was the value for money offered by the
ACCURL press brake against competitor machines.”
The ACCURL tandem CNC press brake from Axe & Status arrived in June 2024, with machine
operatives at Ayrshire Metals immediately commencing a programme of training.
“As you can image, the new ACCURL is very different to our existing 28-year-old press
brake,” says Reilly. “It’s akin to moving from a DOS operating system to Windows, such is
the contrast. We can now use the DELEM DA66T 2D graphical/3D visualisation touchscreen

control to draw the required profile at the press brake without having to create a program
manually. The difference is night and day.”
The ACCURL has also increased production capability at Ayrshire Metals. The company is
today able to bend lengths up to 14 m, compared with 12.6 m previously. In addition,
whereas its existing press brake is on the limit when bending metal at 3 mm thick, Ayrshire
Metals can now form sheet up to 4mm thick across material up to 14 m long. For shorter
lengths it is possible to bend much thicker material.
“We’re hoping this extra capability will allow us to access new markets. At the moment, we
focus solely on construction products for buildings, but starting from 2025 we want to
explore sectors outside of our traditional comfort zone.”
All products at Ayrshire Metals are made to order. The company holds no stock and there is
no minimum order.
Says Reilly: “While we make our high-running products on a rolling mill, the ACCURL gives us
the flexibility to manufacture bespoke items. Compared with our existing press brake, we
now enjoy more productivity and far greater reliability. Moreover, our uptime is 100%
compared with around 70% previously. Speed of response is vital in the construction sector
and we’ve seen a big boost in machine availability and OEE (overall equipment
effectiveness).”
Ayrshire Metals runs two shifts (day and night). Depending on workload, the company has
the option to run its ACCURL press brake around the clock if necessary.
“The construction market is very price-sensitive, both here in the UK and in mainland
Europe, where we export around 50% of production. There’s very little loyalty. So any
advantage in productivity and/or efficiency will help us remain competitive and potentially
improve our margin, which is vital for the future of the business.”
The 14 m, 640 ton ACCURL servo-hydraulic tandem press brake at Ayrshire Metals features a
throat depth of 750 mm and Y1, Y2, X, R, Z1 and Z2 axes. The company can switch quickly
between tandem or single-mode operation at any time, and transfer bending programs
between the two presses. Among many notable features is high dynamic Y-axis control for
over 30% higher productivity. Further features include LAZERSAFE light guard systems, Wila
crowning, quick-release clamping, a LAZERSAFE LZS-XL system with tandem adaptor system,
CE and CSA-certified LAZERSAFE-embedded IRIS block laser, and AP01-AP02 sheet followers.
Ayrshire Metals also has two licenses of ACCURL’s DELEM TL offline software, one at each of
its technical offices in the UK and Germany. The company can seamlessly send fully
simulated and tested data files between facilities. It is now implementing full networking in
support of direct file transfer to the press brake.
“Skills remain a big issue,” states Reilly. “A major advantage with our ACCURL press brake is
the ease of training operators. If you can draw a profile, you can program the machine. It
was a big selling point.”

Generating annual turnover in the region of £20m with 60 employees in the UK and a
further 20 in Germany, Ayrshire Metals wants to build on its success with further growth.
And the best way to meet this ambition is through investment.
“We’ve been around for many years and it’s easy to carry on as normal,” says Reilly.
“However, you sometimes need to take a step back and see what new manufacturing
technologies are available. It’s about improving our capabilities and efficiencies to provide
customers with the best value possible. With our ACCURL press brake we are more
productive, more accurate and have much better traceability. All of these factors benefit
our customers.”
With features such as the ACCURL Hybrid Servo ECO function and IE3 class high-efficiency
motor, the environment will also benefit.
“It’s too early to say, but we’re expecting a sizeable percentage reduction in energy
consumption. We’ve started our journey to net zero, so any carbon footprint reductions are
very welcome.”
ACCURL tandem press brakes from Axe & Status are available up to 6000 tons capacity and
24 m in length, with support from comprehensive warranty and service packages. A three-
year arrangement is in place with Ayrshire Metals, for example.
More information www.axestatus.com

New lightweight angle heads available in UK

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has introduced two new lightweight angle heads from Big Kaiser to the UK market. One is a small bore version suitable for tools with a diameter from 0.25 to 6 mm, while the second features optimisation for high-torque tapping. The new models complement existing devices tailored to general machining applications.

Incorporating a Big Kaiser angle head from ITC allows UK manufacturers to extend their existing machine’s capabilities without the cost of new equipment. The heads facilitate vertical, horizontal and angular operations without the need to reposition the workpiece, increasing accuracy and productivity. The enhancement not only saves machining time, but also accelerates production workflow.

Weighing less than 2 kg, the angle heads are part of Big Kaiser’s compact series that is exclusively available in the UK from ITC. Reduced weight makes them compatible with the automatic tool changers (ATC) of small dynamic machines, such as those from FANUC and Brother. The lighter weight also enables the ATC to operate more swiftly, reducing tool-change times and shortening overall cycles. This capability enhances productivity while placing less stress on the machine spindle.

Designed specifically for BBT30 machine spindles, the line-up includes three variants tailored for general machining, high-torque tapping and small bore applications. The angle heads feature a compact design that minimises overhang, enhancing both rigidity and strength. A non-contact seal offers protection against coolant and particulate contamination. Additionally, a proprietary coolant jacket directs coolant to the cutting edge while simultaneously cooling the angle head, which also helps to reduce noise and vibration.

More information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

1st MTA offers Breuning IRCO automation

Under an exclusive partnership agreement, 1st Machine Tool Accessories (1st MTA) is introducing the UK and Irish markets to the extensive range of bar feeders, load/unload systems and custom solutions manufactured by German automation specialist Breuning IRCO. The equipment is suitable for automating CNC sliding-head and fixed-head turning centres, including multi-tasking lathes, as well as mill-turn machining centres, rotary transfer machines and special purpose machine tools.

The strategic collaboration introduces a new era of standard and tailor-made automation solutions for CNC machine tools, including short and long bar feeders, workpiece handling systems and hybrid automation arrangements, helping manufacturers to enhance productivity, efficiency and profitability. As a result of the new partnership, 1st MTA is able to provide users with local expertise and consultation, as well as installation services and ongoing after-sales support.

Modular product design allows for fully bespoke solutions that fit individual customer requirements. Notable is the advanced vibration damping built into the barfeeds, which improves the reliability of feed and positioning, as well as machining stability. This factor is especially important when turning long or heavy bars, or indeed any bar at high speed.

The accurate alignment of stock with the machine tool and precise synchronisation of barfeed and machine ensures smooth operation, efficient production and process control. Stock feeding is consistent, resulting in high-quality components, few machining errors, and minimal scrap and material wastage. Added benefits include longer-lasting tools that save cost, and the absence of vibration to extend the machine’s operational life.

The barfeeds can handle a wide range of material sizes from 3 to 104 mm in diameter, and up to 6 m in length (optionally 10 m). More information www.1mta.com