PRODUCT REVIEWS
Launch of new service for tube bending users
Unison Ltd , a leading UK manufacturer of tube bending machines and all-electric tube manipulation , has introduced a ‘ refurbish and re-control ’ service specifically for Addison tube bending machines .
“ The service has been designed to provide owners of Addison tube benders with a costeffective , quality-assured means of upgrading their older machines with the latest operating technologies for enhanced levels of control , productivity and performance ,” explained Unison .
It involves the use of Unison ’ s latest servodrive platform ; new control and drive chassis plates ; a replacement machine controller ; an updated safety PLC and a new Windows 11 PC running the latest version of Unison ’ s advanced Unibend CNC . All replacement parts are covered by a comprehensive warranty , and a full machine inspection and condition report is included . A detailed quotation is provided prior to work commencing and additional operations can be included , if required .
Back in Autumn 2022 , Unison Ltd recruited a number of former key employees from the defunct Preston-based Addison Forming Technologies Ltd ( previously known as Addison McKee ).
“ With new Unison technologies in the pipeline and exciting long-term strategic plans ,” commented Unison ’ s joint managing director , Alan Pickering , “ our aim at the time was to employ as many of the former Addison team members as we could justify , to keep their considerable skills in the UK . It was a move that helped to grow our consumable tooling offering in particular , as well as expand our reach at home and overseas .
“ However , talking to users of Addison tube bending machines over the last 12 months led us to realise that a very real need also existed for a refurbish and re-control service tailored to Addison tube benders . After all , many of these machines have been in operation for a good number of years . Additionally , not all owners have the desire or the budget to purchase a new tube bending machine . With these points in mind , we set about creating a refurbishment and re-control offer specifically for owners of Addison models ,” he continued .
Re-controlled Addison tube bending machines benefit from Unison ’ s proprietary Unibend CNC . This Windows-based system allows for ease of set-up and network integration of various coordinate measuring machines , while existing tube bending templates can be modified to adapt to new part requirements . By using TeamViewer connectivity software in conjunction with its Unibend CNC , Unison can also remotely access both machine and data to help resolve issues and assist with new application requirements ( often eliminating the need for a site visit ).
Unison also recently launched a consumable tooling service , the result of a £ 750,000 investment . At the heart of the service is a new consumable tooling manufacturing centre at Unison ’ s Scarborough headquarters in the UK . From here , fully tailored tooling agreements are prepared and around £ 100,000 worth of tooling , including mandrel balls and wiper dies , is held in stock for on-demand , scheduled and next-day delivery to its customers .
Unison also recently launched a new website created , it told ISMR , “ to better reflect its considerable product portfolio .”
The website , www . unisonltd . com , is home to machine tools from Unison Ltd as well as those from its sister companies , Nukon Lasers UK , and wire manipulation machinery specialist , Pneuform Machines Ltd . Users can also discover Unison ’ s software , machinetool service , support and consumable tooling offerings there . n
www . unisonltd . com
Frank Maat , of Rolleston Sheetmetal Engineering , with his laser supplied by Intermach New Zealand .
Making sparks fly at EMEX 2024
Two leading businesses in the lasercutting industry converged at New Zealand ’ s largest industrial trade event , EMEX 2024 , to offer a holistic solution that cuts through inefficiencies for their metal fabrication job shop . International machinery dealer , Intermach , was at EMEX Stand 3090 from 28-30 May 2024 at Auckland Showgrounds .
Intermach is a versatile New Zealandbased machinery trading company , specialising in both new and used lasercutting , fabrication and engineering machinery from leading brands . Australian-based laser cutting quoting company , Tempus Tools , was also on the Intermach stand for customers who have decided to purchase a new machine and want to look at software to streamline operations and increase their quoting efficiency .
Tempus Tools is the designer of ToolBox , its cloud-based laser cutting quoting software . ToolBox can be set up with information on material price , cutting time , labour and other relevant information to generate quotes quickly . ToolBox , said Tempus Tools , typically cuts the time taken to respond to quotes by more than half , and frees up skilled staff for other production priorities .
With more than 100 years of combined experience in its leadership team , extending from the job shop floor to the formation of entire laser-cutting enterprises , Tempus Tools designed ToolBox to not only increase laser-cutting quoting efficiency but also to integrate with other software programs and to perform a range of functions in one , saving the need to purchase multiple subscriptions or programs . n
www
. tempustools . com
54 | ismr . net | ISMR June 2024