Clearview National June 2016 - Issue 175 | Page 86

MACHINERY

Cutting Through
Lead Times
A new Mecal MC 309 Nike CNC
machining centre from Addison Saws is
enabling Stayfix Architectural Aluminium
Systems to halve production lead times.
»»WITH BUSINESS
growing significantly, Park
Royal-based Stayfix had begun
outsourcing the machining of
components for several of its
window and curtain walling
systems. “This approach was fine
as an interim measure,” comments
company director, Kiran Bhudia.
“However, with growing sales and
an ongoing drive to provide even
higher levels of quality and service,
we took the decision to invest
in a manufacturing solution that
would enable us to bring all our
machining back in-house.
“To begin with, we had a few
CNC machines from different
manufacturers in mind. None,
however, seemed quite so well
suited to our requirements as
the 3+1-axis Mecal MC 309 Nike
from Addison Saws,” adds Kiran
Bhudia.
“Addison’s were particularly
helpful and informative throughout
the entire buying process. By
providing a full demonstration of
the machining centre’s capabilities,
including extensive cutting trials,
they ensured we understood
fully how investing in the Mecal
would benefit our business and
satisfy our ongoing production
requirements. With the machine
now in place, we have been able
to reduce our lead times by
50%.”
With its intuitive operator
interface, the Mecal MC 309
Nike has streamlined Stayfix’s
manufacturing processes. Able to
machine components of up to
6540mm in length, it can easily

accommodate even the larger
extrusions used by the aluminium
systems business. The Nike’s
3+1-axis configuration allows full
use of the automatic tool change
capability when working at any
angle through 180°, enabling
drilling, milling and tapping
processes to be carried out in one
seamless operation, accelerating
the production of drainage slots
and apertures for locks and
handles.
In addition to the Mecal MC
309 Nike machining centre, Stayfix
also purchased a Mecal SW 453
Plug double mitre saw and two
Tronzadoras semi-automatic
upstroke aluminium sawing
machines from Addison Saws. The
Mecal SW 453 Plug double mitre
saw was selected for its ability to
provide a fully automatic sawing
solution for extrusion, prior to
CNC machining.
“We expect our total
investment to pay for itself in
under 18 months, thanks to the
sheer volume of work we are
now able to process and our
significantly reduced lead times,”
concludes Kiran Bhudia. “Nearly
all our customers have come to
see the Mecal CNC machine in
action, with several awarding us
greater levels of work in light of
our new production capabilities.”
The Mecal MC 309 Nike
machining centre is equipped to
automatically machine, drill, mill,
slot and prep both aluminium and
steel extrusion bars. Providing
immense flexibility, it is also
well suited to new product

86 » JUN 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

development, while its high levels
of accuracy and repeatability
ensure minimal waste.
This year Addison Saws
celebrates 60 years at the
forefront of sawing technology.
Established in 1956, Addison Saws
brought a new breed of metal
cutting solutions to the UK and,
in doing so, created a whole new
market for bandsaws and circular
saws.
Today, 60 years on, Addison
Saws continues to lead the way
in metal cutting technologies and
offers an extensive range of full
CNC machine tools, from the
world’s premier industrial machine
manufacturers – all supported

by uncompromising levels of
customer care.
The Addison Saws product
range includes everything from
simple, manually operated
machines to highly sophisticated,
fully automated sawing lines and
has recently been increased with
the addition of heavy duty 3, 3+1,
4 & 5-axis long-bed multi-piece
machining centres. Addison Saws
is part of the Addison Group, an
organisation that also includes
sawblade re-manufacturing
specialist Dynashape, and tubebending technology specialist,
Tubefab.
www.addisonsaws.co.uk