Fast payback for Emmegi machinery centre
Less than six months after installation, architectural glazing specialist, Walsin, has reported that it is already seeing ‘significant benefits’ from its investment in an Emmegi 5-axis Satellite XTE machining centre.
The Satellite XTE is said to have positively impacted the efficiency and production volumes of Walsin’s products. Additionally, it has provided the Lisburn based company with enough capacity to offer sub-contracted machining and fabrication services to other companies.
The Satellite XTE is an upgraded version of Emmegi’s Satellite XT. It retains the mobile gantry designed for milling, drilling, threading and processing five workable sides on large scale sections of steel and aluminium. Additionally, the XTE features a larger 24-position tool magazine and an exchanger arm system for faster tool changeover.
The XTE’s cutting and separating function allows a series of machined profiles to be obtained from one bar length and then separated into individual elements. According to Emmegi, the Satellite XTE is a popular choice for companies like Walsin which manufactures and installs the complete suite of aluminium façade products, ranging from punched windows to complex unitised facades. The large capacity of the tool unit can accommodate a 500mm saw blade allowing for separation cuts to be run on large dimensional profiles in addition to compound cuts, straight cuts, angled cuts and notching.
It also features an ergonomically designed cabinet with wide glazed sections for easy visibility during machining, enhanced soundproofing, and safe access for cleaning and maintenance.
Before investing in the Satellite XTE, Walsin says it extensively researched all compatible machining centres available in the marketplace to find one capable of delivering the required quality and functionality.
One key factor that convinced it to choose the Emmegi machine over others was the aftersales care provided by an Emmegi team based full time in Ireland.
Along with sales manager, Jim O’Connell, Emmegi (UK) has two technicians on its Irish team – one based within 30 minutes of Walsin’s factory. Consumable spares are stocked locally, and an extensive range of major breakdown spares are held in Coventry.
This local approach to service and maintenance not only provides significant cost benefits over the lifetime of the machine but will also minimise extended breakdowns as Walsin would not have to await parts to be shipped from central Europe in the event of an emergency breakdown.
Walsin has ambitious growth targets and believes the Satellite XTE will help achieve them. The company offers both the supply of fabricated façade systems and total envelope façade packages, including design, manufacturing and installation throughout the UK and Ireland. They have ongoing architectural façade contracts in Dublin, Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Leicester, having recently completed in Liverpool and Sheffield, with more to come.
Conor McCarron, Walsin’s production manager, commented: “The Satellite XTE is providing the extra volume we need to advance to the next phase of our expansion. Output per operator is up, and costs are down. Coupled with the savings on running costs, we are on target to recoup our capital expenditure in a shorter timeframe than with previous investments.”
