NEWS ... CUSTOMER FOCUS
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HUTCHINSON ENGINEERING
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The investment will be followed in the coming month by an additional laser cutter – this time in the form of the latest Amada LC3015 X1 high specification model. In tandem, these two 4kW machines will arguably position Hutchinson Engineering as the best equipped laser profiling shop in Northern Ireland.
“Coach interior lining parts are typically manufactured from 2mm thick Formica,” explains Mr Hutchinson. “This material is traditionally processed by woodworking shops using routing techniques. However, because the Amada machines feature roller beds, materials that require high aesthetics can be laser cut without the risk of surface scratches, at a much faster rate. Many Amada competitor machines do not have this feature.” The Amada LC3015 X1 is an advanced CNC laser cutting machine that offers a rapid feed rate of 85m/min and a positioning accuracy of 0.05mm/500mm across its 3100 by 1550mm bed. “Amada took us to five or six X1 user sites and they all had glowing things to say about the machine,” he says. “One of the big advantages of the X1 is its material tower, which is excellent. It is possible to hold up to 12 tonnes of raw material, plus the cut material, all within a very small footprint. With factory floor space at a premium more than ever before, economic space utilisation is critical.” Hutchinson Engineering will run its two Amada machines 24 hours a day. Here too, Mr Hutchinson says the machines are superior to the competition. “Running around the clock is vital to the success of our business,” he says. “It’s a very competitive industry so anything we can do to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace can only be beneficial.”
"All of our Amada machines, including two HFE CNC press brakes, are covered by a service contract that we find unbeatable," he concludes. "While reliability is exceptionally good, any downtime is obviously extremely painful for a relatively small company with a very busy workload and high profile customers to appease. Being located in Northern Ireland means there is a flight involved for Amada service engineers should the need arise, but this is covered in the contract." |
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To help cope with a surge in demand for the company’s services, Hutchinson Engineering has installed an Amada Alpha LC2415 CNC laser cutting machine with L300 automated load/unload at its facility at Kilrea near Coleraine.
"Until recently we operated an Amada Beta laser that we bought in 1999," says general manager Mark Hutchinson. "Not only was the machine a great servant to our company, the back-up and support offered by Amada over the years was one of the defining reasons for acquiring further Amada machines." 
While Mr Hutchinson lists the principal advantages of Amada technology as unmanned overnight production, enhanced flexibility to meet demand for prototypes, improved quality, increased production throughput and optimised unit price, overall he returns to the quality of service offered by Amada as the distinguishing factor.