UK NEWS

First laser of its type in UK

The first Prima Power machine sold in the UK featuring the company’s own laser source, an advanced Rapido 3D laser cutter, was recently installed, along with
a 2 m Prima Power brake press, at the premises of fabrication services provider PAB Coventry. In addition to manufacturing parts such as panels, grilles, trim, instrumentation and brackets to prestige and supercar manufacturers, the company also supplies the aerospace, defence and rail sectors with components
like pressings, brackets and welded assemblies.

Explaining the reasons behind the company’s latest Prima Power purchase, PAB Coventry CEO Mark Brazier says: “The recent installation of the new Prima Power Rapido fibre 3D laser-cutting machine marks the final piece in our three-year, £3m expansion programme. Due to the growth of our business and continued loyalty to the brand, I believe that we are now the UK’s largest user of Prima Power machines. In addition to the machines’ precision and efficiency, as Prima Power’s product range covers all aspects of sheet metal working, including laser cutting, welding, punching and bending, it helps that the common software and operating systems provide flexibility.”
With X, Y, and Z-axis strokes of 4080, 1530 and 765 mm, the Prima Power Rapido 3D laser cutter is based on a synthetic granite frame designed using topology optimisation methods to ensure smooth movements at high dynamics. User accessibility is provided thanks to the machine’s overhead retractable arm and cantilever structure arrangement. A focusing head with direct drives and transducers delivers high dynamics, zero backlash and reduced maintenance needs.
For further information www.primapower.com

Radan 2018 R1 CADCAM suite released

As well as taking “a major step forward” with technology geared towards helping sheet-metal manufacturers implement Industry 4.0 in its latest version, Radan will now be issuing two new releases a year. “We’re aiming to get the very latest developments to customers as quickly as possible,” says Radan’s product manager Olaf Körner. “Starting with Radan 2018 R1, customers needn’t ever be working with software that is more than six months old.”

The latest release includes a number of new and enhanced functionality items which focus specifically on the “engineering of parts” processes. To explain further, developers are now working on separating Radan into two distinct aspects: traditionally creating NC code to drive CNC machines, and “engineering of parts”.
“Radan isn’t just a CAM system anymore; it plays an important role in ensuring sheet metal manufacturers are best placed to run with Industry 4.0,” says Körner.
An example of this can be seen with Radmanager. The system now accepts feedback from the shop floor regarding the cutting progress. “This improved connection between the shop floor and logistics operations means the stock management and order processing functions can immediately update inventory control.”
Also enhanced is Radquote, which now looks at all factors that impact on how much it costs to bend a part, such as how many bends are required, how many turns or flips the operation needs, and whether it requires a second operator. In addition, Radquote calculates the cost of an entire 3D assembly, rather than just individual parts.
For further information www.radan.com

Door firm invests in Salvagnini technology

Assa Abloy Security Doors, a UK division of Assa Abloy, a global specialist in door opening solutions, has invested in a number of new technologies at its Lisburn manufacturing plant in Northern Ireland. Two new Salvagnini systems – an L1X-30 fibre-laser system and a P4lean-3216 panel bender – are helping to enhance the site’s manufacturing capabilities by improving lead times, increasing productivity and reducing environmental impact.

The fibre-laser system – which was installed last month – combines high-speed sheet metal processing with precise cut quality, while the new panel bender will enable the company’s SMARTform technology to fold doors more accurately and quickly. In addition, MAC 2.0 software ensures folding results remain at a consistently high standard.
The panel bender will be able to process 90% of the total door range at Assa Abloy Security Doors.
Having been awarded the ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental management in 2017, the new investments further contribute to this objective. For instance, the consumption of electricity and oil is reduced when using the Salvagnini machines, resulting in lower running costs.
Neil Chambers, production manager at Assa Abloy Security Doors, says: “The new systems have allowed us to streamline production by improving areas of our manufacturing and removing some unwanted processes that were labour intensive and costly. This move reflects our commitment to improving operational efficiencies while investing in sustainable technology. In the near future, we believe these new technologies will positively impact on lead times, product design and overall product quality.”
For further information www.salvagninigroup.com

Amada award

Amada UK has been crowned ‘Large Employer of the Year 2017’ at the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards, where 300 people were in attendance. The award is seen as recognition for the company’s successful apprenticeship programme, which has been in place since 2006.

At present, Amada employs 17 apprentices, mostly in engineering, but also in accountancy and business administration schemes. The programme supports Amada UK’s mantra of “growing our own talent pool”, providing management candidates of the future with Amada ‘DNA’.
For further information www.amada.co.uk

Cold forming capabilities extended

Dawson Shanahan has further boosted its capabilities in cold forming by investing in a high-throughput Formax machine. The move takes the company’s investment in new machinery to £500,000 for the third year in a row.

Additional investments have been made in Dawson Shanahan’s turning, milling and grinding capabilities, as well as in metrology and cleaning systems. The Formax FX54M is a four-die, high-speed cold former that will extend the company’s capability in two ways: its increased size will allow Dawson Shanahan to make larger cold-formed parts; and its throughput of up to 190 pieces per minute will help raise overall production capacity.
For further information www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk