The best quality cuts

Before Paramount Steel Fence took delivery of a BLM ADIGE TS72 CNC production saw in November 2008, the company's Burslem, Stoke on Trent site was regularly running a night shift to keep pace with the demand for its range of decorative and secure fencing systems. "With our previous way of working, we were very tight for capacity," says Bob Dewberry, managing director. "It's a more relaxed situation now, as we have a more flexible production capability and can process several jobs on the new saw at a time." Jon Norton, production manager, confirms that the BLM ADIGE TS72 is easy to program and quiet in operation, with the added advantage of avoiding scratching or marking of material by lifting it away from the vice bed and vice jaws during the automated feed operation. The new machine can process material up to 102 mm OD and, depending on the machine specification, up to 4.5 metres in length. It can be programmed to process up to four cut lengths from the same stock length and to unload these cut lengths in four locations. OPTIMUM PARAMETERS The TS72 is designed to operate either as a stand-alone unit – as at Paramount – or fully integrated into a complete automated system, with additional deburring, washing, drying and collecting operations. The machine's programming software selects optimum working parameters from a comprehensive database. This covers blade speeds and feeds for different materials, saw blade selection – Paramount uses HSS blades – and material feed rate. With virtually all the machine's settings being managed by the CNC, changeovers are very quick and very simple. Typically, a full changeover takes less than two minutes, but this can be reduced to literally seconds, if the next job has already been pre-programmed. So, without reliance on operator expertise, the TS72 sets itself to the correct machine settings and operating parameters to guarantee that maximum output is consistently achieved. Image: Paramount Steel Fence's BLM ADIGE saw is easy to program and quiet Since 1984, Paramount has expanded its product portfolio to include every type of steel security fencing, including those specified by high profile organisations such as British Gas, British Rail, Scottish Power, water treatment plants, nuclear power stations and defence establishments. Paramount also provides various designs of steel fencing for factories, commercial premises, local authorities, and airports and motorways. In addition, the Staffordshire-based company manufactures steel cantilever sliding gates and conventional swing gates to match its steel fencing styles, while its electronics/automation division designs and installs access control, audio control and CCTV/surveillance systems as part of turnkey projects, providing a total security solution. Growth in demand, particularly for security fencing, has resulted in Paramount emerging as one of the UK's largest steel fencing manufacturers, with around 120 people employed in its Stoke on Trent factory and two other sites in nearby Rugeley. The company's Palisade fencing is the most popular style for security applications, with its installation around Paramount's own sites described by Bob Dewberry as both "a shop window for the company's products and a necessary deterrent to crime and vandalism". An alternative security style that is becoming more popular with customers is the Diplomat welded mesh fencing introduced for applications where a change from conventional designs is called for, without compromising security features such as resistance to climbing. "Predominantly, we supply our steel fencing to accredited contractors, who ensure that our products are installed correctly and complement the perimeter of any premises," says Mr Dewberry. "Hot dip galvanising and architectural standard polyester powder coating contribute to long-term durability, with 20 to 25 years to first maintenance the norm, rather than the exception. "The steel fencing business is a very competitive one and we can't afford to stand still, in terms of the equipment we use," he adds, "We have always adopted a progressive attitude to investment in production equipment and information technology, designed to provide customers with an efficient service and quality products at a competitive price. The new saw was bought for its speed of operation and contribution to the lowest possible unit cost, and we are very happy with the outcome." Parker Steel is one of the largest privately owned steel stockholders in the country, and always looks to improve its services and processing facilities for its structural fabrication customers. AUTOMATED DRILLING AND SAWING As a key part of this service strategy, the company recently installed a fully automated FICEP 601DZB drilling and sawing system for the processing of sections. This is the first machine in the UK to have a fully automatic beam rotating device, which allows sections to be drilled and sawn in the 'I' position. This unique machine function has been specifically designed for Parker and is particularly advantageous for those customers that require a profiled section to be drilled and sawn standing up. Companies who produce mezzanine flooring, walkways and building beams for light structures are finding this processing facility to be beneficial – producing savings in both time and costs. This machine has now also enhanced Parker's capability to process channel sections in the same unique way, which offers greater flexibility for the company's customers. Scribing is also available on the machine and Parker is finding that this is now resulting in cost savings for the company's customers. Image: FICEP technology has helped John Parker & Son fulfil prestigious projects, like Heathrow Terminal 5 Established in 1904, John Parker & Son Ltd is the largest independent steel stockholder in the south of England, with head offices based in Canterbury, Kent, and depots at Andover, Gatwick and Waterbeach, near Cambridge. It employs more then 450 people, carries stocks of over 25,000 tonnes of steel, and has its own fleet of 75-plus trucks to distribute steel throughout southern England. The company also has its own new dockside facilities at Shoreham, West Sussex, enabling it to unload 5,000 tonne ships. John Goring, manager of John Parker commented, explains: "We purchased a range of FICEP machines, as they are the most technically advanced on the market, and they have enabled us to develop custom software to download NC files direct into our system to create an enquiry. Once the order is placed, the data is transferred directly to the machine, 'untouched by human hand'! "We are now able to offer what is the most comprehensive steel processing facility at any stockholder in the UK. Processes available include drilling, laser, profiling, waterjet, shearing and plasma cutting, as well as tube laser and shotblasting and painting. All our machines run 24/7, which means we can offer excellent, consistent and short lead times. "Many different and prestigious projects have been completed using the new FICEP machines, including a substantial contract for Heathrow Terminal 5 for the guide rails beams for the driverless railway. These beams had many thousands of normal holes, as well as drilled and taped and countersunk holes; all had to be supplied to a very close tolerance and all pieces were part marked by hardstamping, using FICEP's facility." First published in Machinery, October 2009