Nuneaton-based Unifabs has installed a brand new AMADA REGIUS high-speed CNC fibre laser profiling centre with load/unload automation and storage. The company, which is targeting 25% growth in 2022, says the machine has already improved laser cutting speeds by 50% for certain parts. To further improve its ‘design to delivery’ offer for customers, the company has also placed an order for a new AMADA HRB-ATC, the first mid-range press brake in AMADA’s portfolio to feature automatic tool-change capability.
“Our goal is to be much more than just a supplier of sheet metal fabrications and parts,” says Managing Director Tom James. “We want to be a manufacturing partner to our customers, supplying a start to finish service. Whether we’re supplying sheet metal components just in time to a manufacturing line, or controlling the entire production process on a contract manufacturing basis, we operate as an extension of our customers’ business.”
“We looked at different models, but along with the increased processing speed we really liked the automated setup features on the AMADA REGIUS, which we knew would help to reduce set-up/inspection time and maximise productivity,” says Mr James.
Installed in November 2021, the AMADA REGIUS at Unifabs is primarily processing mild steel, galvanised steel and zintec from 1 to 8 mm thick. The machine features an AMADA ASLUL-3015 for the automatic loading and unloading of sheets and the storage of raw material, ensuring uninterrupted production runs and optimal machine utilisation.
“The machine is very easy to use. It has several process monitoring systems that do much of the work for operators.It’s a great step forward for Unifabs and our partners. The REGIUS is also more efficient and uses a lot less power than our AMADA FOL laser cutter, such is the advance in technology.”
Bending is a core business function, which is why Unifabs has placed an order for a new AMADA HRB-ATC. Adding to the company’s existing seven AMADA CNC press brakes (HFE and HFP models), the HRB-ATC is the first at the company with automatic tool change capability.
“We manufacture a lot of samples, prototypes and small batch runs to help get components ready for serial production,” explains Mr James. “We have 10 people in our CAD team, so a lot of our work comes from the product development side of our business. However, these parts often have long set-up times, so we’re really hoping that the new press brake’s ATC capability will have a big impact on throughput in this area. We’ll program a prototype part offline using AMADA software, send it to the new HRB-ATC and hopefully be folding metal within a few minutes.”
“The new AMADA investments support our growth strategy and mission to continue as a trusted contract manufacturing partner to our customers”
