Machinery
‘ SWISS ARMY KNIFE ’ SPEEDS UP ROOF FABRICATION
» JADE ENGINEERING HAS WORKED closely with the manufacturers of Guardian Warm Roof , to develop a version of its ‘ Swiss army knife ’ punch tool that dramatically reduces fabrication time for its popular solid roof system .
The Guardian Warm Roof engineers recognised that they needed to provide a
more efficient and accurate solution for its fabricators to replace the template and power tool system of drilling the various fixing holes for the main aluminium sections of its solid conservatory roof replacement . After an earlier company designed a solution that was deemed to be expensive and unworkable , the firm contacted Jade Engineering and threw down the challenge to provide an answer .
Jade ’ s response was to engineer a multi-tool head that may be adjusted quickly and simply to switch between the various aluminium profiles used in the Guardian Warm Roof , mounted on a single punch tool pump unit . Thus , a single Jade unit not only replaces the cumbersome hand-prepping , but provides a single , compact punch station when other systems would require multiple units to complete the prepping requirements of the various profiles within the system . Factory space for the punch process is therefore minimised , offering further economies .
Tim Douglas , Technical Manager for Guardian Building Systems , the company behind the Guardian Warm Roof , says that Jade Engineering has produced an ideal solution for its fabricators : “ The Jade multi-tool carries out the punching for all of the profiles in our system , using a single station . This in itself saves a significant outlay , with tool changes carried out quickly and simply . The process significantly improves upon the hand-marking and drilling that our fabricators used previously , improving speed of course , but also accuracy . Errors have been eradicated .”
Tim also praised Jade Engineering ’ s immediate grasp of Guardian Building Systems ’ requirements : “ Jade ’ s engineers understand the requirements of roof structure profile fabrication and quickly offered an ideal solution that is now working extremely well for our fabricators . The tooling and punch stations are also superbly engineered .”
https :// jade-eng . co . uk
INCREASED CAPACITY TO MEET DEMAND
» TUFFX HAS INVESTED £ 500k to add two more production lines at its Knowsley factory in response to continuing high demand for its specialist toughened glass and popular Infinity roof light range .
A third laminating line has been installed to meet demand for laminated glass . The Sagertec glass laminating machine will allow TuffX to boost its output , demand for which has increased over the last few years due to the growing popularity of glass balustrades and balconies in both commercial and residential properties .
Components of a third double-glazing line have also been purchased and recently installed at the factory . This will boost factory efficiency and production capacity of TuffX ’ s Infinity range of products and Ambience conservatory glass . Demand , and subsequently output , for TuffX ’ s Infinity roof lights has already grown 25 % this year , due to the range ’ s popularity with homeowners and installers alike , thanks to its hassle-free ‘ drop in and seal ’ installation .
The two new additional production lines are part of TuffX ’ s wider planned schedule of investment for 2022 , as the leading toughened glass specialist continues its longterm plan for growth . This includes a substantial factory extension currently underway and due to be completed early next year , along with other recent machinery purchases , recruitment of more staff and new additions to the TuffX vehicle fleet .
“ Continuing demand for modern , light and airy homes and commercial spaces means our specialist glass solutions for balustrades and balconies as well as our range of infinity roof lights and roof glass just keeps growing ,” said Paul Higgins , TuffX ’ s Commercial Director .
“ With these latest new lines to boost our output , we ’ re building on our consistent track record of investments in recent years to ensure we continue to give our customers the efficient , high-quality and reliable service they know to expect when they come to us .”
www . tuffxglass . co . uk
86 SEPTEMBER 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM