First machine for UK market
Premo Fabrications is the first facade manufacturer in the UK to take delivery of a new L3 version of Emmegi’s flagship, 20-axes Quadra aluminium machining centre.
The L0, L1 and L2 versions of the Quadra can all cut, drill and machine in one single operation, delivering advances in efficiency, but the L3 adds an extra dimension with a secondary module equipped with a dual drilling unit. This can mill, drill and tap at any angle on the ends of the profile, as well as on the horizontal, allowing companies like Premo to broaden the options they can offer in unitised curtain walling, Emmegi said.
Jack Tait, the facades production manager at Premo Fabrications, said: “This dual drilling unit opens up additional new business streams for us and gives us capabilities which go beyond our immediate needs but which we know will be useful in the future.
“With this size of investment, it was crucial for us to choose a machine which was futureproofed, and would give us scope to go on adding to our product range in the coming months and years.”
As well as the dual drilling, the Quadra L3 was specced by Premo with a double depth, dual-zone outfeed which works with an automatic push feed and ejector system to maximise the profile throughput.
Premo fabricates almost exclusively in Kawneer profile to supply the ongoing facade requirements of the FK Group, of which it is now a part.
“Because the Quadra cuts, drills and machines in one, it mitigates the tolerances which are normally incurred at each separate stage, giving us the precision we need for the FK Group installations, as well as the large scale volumes,” Jack said.
The Quadra L3 features a CNC operated 600mm vertical cutting module with downward movement on three axes and a range from -45° to +245° and a 350mm horizontal cutting module mounted on the same support beam as the drill, with a range from -45° to +45° for large bars and special cuts.
Before choosing the Quadra L3, Jack and the team at Premo evaluated other models on the market and judged that the Emmegi machine was a more capable option. With several Emmegi machines already in their Newton Aycliffe factory, they liked the proven quality and performance and wanted to benefit from continuity in terms of shared software and programming.
Because this was the first Quadra L3 to be supplied in the UK, Jack headed out to Italy before the pandemic to see the machine in action at Emmegi’s Modena headquarters. He was impressed with the level of support provided by Emmegi during the buying process and this has continued since the delivery.
“The ordering, delivery and installation process were all very efficient and we benefited from excellent training for our operators,” Jack said. “What’s particularly good is that we get regular calls and checks to make sure that the machine is operating as we want it to, and we know the Emmegi (UK) team are always available for help and advice.”
