TPT January 2012

T echnology U pdate

AddisonMckee cuts costs not corners

ADDISONMCKEE of Lancashire, UK, designs, manufactures and supplies tube bending and endforming technologies, and has manufactured a new eB 80 ES RB model machine for supply to Dinex in China. The new machine represents a significant alternative to the existing world renowned DB 75 machine. A key to reducing the cost of the new machine lay in removing the ball screw providing the boost and allowing the gearbox and motor instead to provide the force required for boosting. Hence the new machine enables freeform bending for the full length of the bed. Given the cost of floorspace at any facility, the new machine’s modular design also has significant benefits if bed length flexibility is important. The standard machine itself is two metres long but offers the capability to increase in length by bolting two sections together to extend the bed when required, converting the machine easily and cheaply to a three/four metre model. Back in 1984 the company introduced its Mark 1 control system incorporating the very first touch screen. And today the new Mark 7 system takes convenience and flexibility one step further than ever before by enabling a REIKA GmbH & Co KG is currently experiencing a large demand in machines for value added process, particularly in the automotive sector. “The Compact machine generation has celebrated great success,” said Reika managing director Hans-Jörg Braun. “For example, our lines for short lengths and precision cuts used in the production of blanks for fittings are extremely popular. It is mainly low maintenance and operation costs the customers appreciate,” said Mr Braun. The compact series is setting new standards: tool lifetime of the roller blades is approx 150,000 cuts before regrinding. Another advantage of the compact series: “Pipe surfaces are not damaged by our machines or sticky saw chips,” says Hans-Jörg Braun. “In addition, they guarantee extremely good tolerances.” Reliability of the Reika machines is also

single control system to operate with both hydraulic and electric machines. In response to overwhelming demand from its European customers, AddisonMckee has restored the manufacturing facility at its HQ at Bamber Bridge in the UK, a move which underscores the company’s commitment to its European partners, not least by significantly reducing costs. With two manufacturing facilities in the US and the UK, AddisonMckee can offer something its erstwhile competitors are unable to: namely, an eminently flexible supply chain to market. The company now has no less than 55 engineers committed to research and development with service personnel on hand in every continent. While the new owners themselves come with the benefit of a wealth of business and industry experience, not least in the key emerging markets of the Far East. While it is true that many things have changed at AddisonMckee, many things have also remained the same. For example,AddisonMckee’s commitment to its core values of quality, durability, timeliness, price, integrity and flexibility has never wavered. Nor has its passion for

providing its customers with unique solutions for highly complex tubeforming problems whether it be in muffler assembly and sub- assembly machinery, catalytic converter making solutions, hydraulic presses, inspection systems, cell automation solutions, production cell integration or lubricants. Many of the core people at the company’s Bamber Bridge facility have been with AddisonMckee not just throughout the recent twists and turns of the recession, but for many, many years. As AddisonMckee CEO Alastair Tedford remarks: “The company has emerged stronger than ever with an extremely healthy order book. As a management team, we believe this is due both to the restoration of our manufacturing facility here in the UK but also to building on the company’s core values to offer customers a better service than ever before. What this means in practical terms is continuing to pursue a programme of innovation in new product development but coupled with a major initiative to drive down costs for our customers.” AddisonMckee – UK Email: paspinall@addisonmckee.com Website: www.addisonmckee.com

Reika compact machine generation

pionieering. Modern quality components are combined with years of proven Reika- standard modules. A central machine bed, a fully encapsulated production cell and the absence of a hydraulic system are other features of this machine series. Customers benefit from this rigorous and practical implementation of Reika’s experience and know-how as well as process-safe control of user needs. The

output of the compact machine generation is up to 1,900 pieces/hour – depending on material and application. These values are reached by short cycle and changeover times and the cutting technique. Last but not least, customers receive a defined handling of material with optimum quality assurance. Reika GmbH & Co KG – Germany Website: www.reika.de

Reika has experienced great demand from the automotive sector

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J anuary 2012

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