Amada Open House reveals new UK Technical Centre and latest technology

The events will take place on On 13-16 May, 20-22 May and 17-19 June, when Amada will open the doors at its 9,500 m² flagship building. In addition to getting a first-hand look at the company's state-of-the-art UKTC, visitors will be able to see a host of new technology, including the FLW fibre laser welding cell, the EG-AR robotic press brake cell, and the European launch of the new LCG 3015 laser cutting machines. Additional new technologies will include the HFE3i and HG press brakes, an EM-3612M II turret punch press and ample tooling and software solutions. The LCG-3015 series lasers are purpose built for productivity, based on one machine platform with a choice of CO2 or fibre laser sources. Designed for cutting a range of thin to mid-thick materials at traverse speeds of 170 m/min, the machine offers a host of innovative features that set a new benchmark for performance and price. These include a lightweight Y-axis gantry beam module to facilitate high speeds, a low centre of gravity for motion improvement, and a high torque motor and direct drive system for greater acceleration. The LCG-3105 series offers a choice of new AF3500i-C 3.5 kW oscillator with improved cutting performance using pinpoint beam focus, and the Amada developed 2 kW AJ fibre laser source with faster processing of thin materials and low running costs. The EG-AR automated bending cell caters for everything from high-mix, small-batch production to low-mix, high volume batches. It uses a high speed, high accuracy press brake with what is claimed as the world's first dual-servo press drive mechanism. The press brake is combined with a robot that is optimised for high speed bending of small complex components. The FLW fibre laser automated welding cell achieves high speed and high quality welding that is impossible to attain with conventional welding systems, says Amada. Dedicated offline programming with FLW CAM software offers efficient welding simulation, without interrupting machine production, thus increasing welding efficiency. The FLW cell comprises a 2-axis positioner table, repositioning robot carriage, six-axis welding robot, state-of-the-art fibre laser welding head, and 4 kW fibre laser engine. Aside from the showroom, the new Amada UKTC includes new meeting areas, rooms for proposal and presentation to customers, and a school for technical training. Further facilities include a tooling factory, a 70-seat seminar theatre and an automated spare parts warehouse. The new UK Technical Centre will serve as a core base from which Amada carries out its activities, not only in the UK, but also in Spain and Scandinavia. The entire refurbishment is based on an eco-friendly design boasting minimal carbon footprint, due to the installation of the latest sustainable technologies, such as low-energy and sensor-control lighting, air-source heating and cooling, and thermally efficient cladding and glazing.