Automation arrives at sheet metal firm

Highly skilled manufacturer Salamander Fabrications has welcomed an automated laser and integrated handling system – from Switzerland and Italy – to cut and process sheet metal twice as quick as existing machinery.

The 6Kw Bystronic laser and automated warehouse – that should enable the team to switch between profiling one material to the next in under four minutes – had been put on hold following the Coronavirus outbreak.

However, the Slaithwaite firm has now been able to resume activity – with hopes of having the finishing touches applied by the end of July 2020.
The whole system sits at over 25m x 15m x 4.5m in height and can cut a variety of aluminium, steels and yellow metals. It’s expected to increase the business’s production capacity by up to 70% and has 24/7 ‘lights out’ running capability.

Up to three of its manufacturers will be trained on how to fully operate the integrated system and mentor others. And the organisation has used some of a £240,000 funding pot – granted by the Leeds City Region Partnership (LEP) – to bring over the impressive piece of kit from central Europe.

Following the necessary training, it’s hoped that the business can use the Bystronic laser from Friday, 10th July – and its 50-strong workforce has even given it a name of ‘Sally Sal’!

“It’s a big day for everyone at Salamander Fabrications as we welcome such a stunning piece of kit that will further enhance the speed in which we can react to customer requirements,” said managing director, Michael Haskell.

“This kind of automation not only optimises our material flow, it improves our machine use, provides us with a greater level of reliability and upskills our workforce to operate first-class machinery.”

Salamander Fabrications is no stranger to savvy systems, having already integrated collaborative robotic welding into its operations to cater for a number of substantial contracts – including one to supply components for a large rail refurbishment assignment.