A new CNC steel processing machine from Ficep UK is now available to bring greater choice to the UK wind tower and offshore manufacturing industries. With the rapid growth of wind tower manufacturing, Ficep UK has brought to market its Energy CNC machine for steel plate drilling, milling and scribing. The automated Energy machine can handle extremely large and heavy steel plates – up to 30 m in length and 4 m in width.

Suitable for applications including the manufacture of wind towers and pressure vessels, the Ficep Energy is a gantry-style fabrication system, with two separate working areas to optimise plate loading and unloading. Available in different bed lengths, the machine can accommodate longer plates and the table can be sub-divided to create multiple processing zones. For added performance, the Energy starts with two 60 kW spindles that can accept milling tools up to 300 mm in diameter for the milling of plates up to 140 mm thick.

The Energy incorporates a probing system to locate all the critical edges of the part prior to spindle operations. It also includes a tool changer system – mounted on the spindle board – which automates and expedites tool selection and replacement. Notably, it is possible to integrate the system with other Ficep steel processing machines, including the Kronos – a heavy-duty gantry-style system with optional dual drill spindles that increase productivity in steel plate processing.

Says Ficep UK managing director Mark Jones: “The UK wind energy industry is growing rapidly, and so too are the size of the towers. Manufacturers need a reliable and efficient solution that is robust and can handle large expanses of material, which is exactly what our Energy system delivers.”

For further information
www.ficep.co.uk