    |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
For immediate release 2008 1 August IAC invests £0.5M in laser cutting technology
Gas turbine enclosures, and some of the associated balance of plant that are manufactured at Winchester, get sold and distributed by our customers worldwide.
In readiness for the new laser, a large machine tool that has a footprint of 15.3 metres by 5.3 metres, we needed to move some other machine tools around. To maximise the effectiveness of the rigging crews, we also took the opportunity to re-organise the Building Services Q-Duct line. With the Q-duct team's efforts to plan a better layout, and with the whole team getting involved in the move, we were able to minimise disruption and avoid delays to our customers. With the new layout, we now have the guillotine placed close to the factory doors, giving better access for loading materials, and all of the other machine tools in the area have been moved to create more manufacturing space, and a better flow. Due to an opportunity to accept the laser in record time from Bystronic, we had only 6 weeks to move machine tools around, level the floor and provide all the gas, air and electricity supplies to the laser. A huge effort was put in by both the Winchester Machine Shop, and the Manufacturing Engineering team to get the area ready in time. In the end, due to everyone’s efforts, all of the activities were complete in readiness for delivery of the laser with a week to spare! Contact: Mike Campbell, Group Operations Director mikec@iacl.co.uk 01962 873000
|
|
IAC’s European manufacturing facility in Winchester, UK has invested £0.5M in state-of-the-art laser cutting technology following a steep rise in business generated from the power business unit managed from our Colchester office. 
The manufacture of enclosures and balance of plant for diesel gensets and gas turbines requires to be constructed from heavy gauge 5mm and 6mm steel sheeting. This was proving hard work for the punch machines used for other IAC products. To minimise breakdowns on the machine tools, prior to obtaining the laser, IAC had to outsource all heavy gauge plate, resulting in increased costs and delays to delivery lead times.
The new CNC Laser was ordered from Swiss manufacturer Bystronic. The Byspeed 3015 laser consists of a 4.4Kw resonator that can cut mild steel up to 25mm thick. To help improve efficiency, the state of the art Bytrans material handling system was also purchased as part of the package. This equipment can remove a cut sheet of steel, replace it with a new sheet and be cutting again within 35 seconds. With this additional equipment, and the ability of the laser to etch the part numbers of cut components on the material surface, the machine can now be run ‘lights out’ improving productivity significantly. The Bytrans material handling system, a new product for Bystronic, was only the second one to be installed in the UK. 
Mike Campbell, Group Operations Director said: ”The new Laser has made a huge difference, and since its introduction we have benefited in many other parts of the factory. Products are cut without a burr, removing the need to deburr materials before fabrication, and improving health and safety for the Operations teams. With the ability to etch components, we are also experimenting with marking locations on materials for placement of brackets etc., removing the need for the fabrication teams to measure and mark out. Another hidden benefit is an increase in revenue from disposal of laser cut skeletons, a benefit realised only by our subcontractors previously.
|
