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6 March 2019

AMADA technology boosts growth at Glenmore Hane Group

Slough-based Glenmore Hane Group, a specialist in fine-limit sheet-metal fabrication for a wide range of industries, is using its investment in the latest automated AMADA laser-cutting and press-brake technologies to achieve an ever-stronger market position. Automation is the key word, as the company says this factor has created a significant amount of extra capacity that in turn is supporting the generation of additional revenue.

With origins back to 1973, Glenmore Hane is a company created from the 2014 merger of Glenmore Engineering Ltd, Glenmore Plating Ltd, Hane Instruments Ltd and AA Finishers LLP. The merged company moved into 12,000 ft2 premises on the Slough Trading Estate and today supplies sectors that include aerospace, automotive, marine, defence, electronics, food, lighting, medical, pharmaceutical, scientific instruments and retail.

Aerospace currently constitutes around 65% of business, typically comprising seating components, such as seat pans, brackets and shrouds, as well as a number of parts for aircraft kitchen and serving areas.

“We are set up to tackle anything from prototypes and 1-offs through to large batch runs.” explains the company’s General Manager Mark Hall. “We have the cutting-edge technology and latest equipment to design, fabricate and finish in-house.”

Glenmore Hane is a strong advocate of investing in the latest manufacturing technologies. A case in point is the recent arrival of an AMADA LCG-3015AJ fibre laser. The machine is now firmly bedded in and working hard, cutting 3 x 1.5 m metal sheets with ±0.01mm positional repeatability. Axis speeds of 170m/min (simultaneous) mean that parts do not suffer from heat distortion.

“For us, the fibre-laser advantage is reduction in the melt effect on coated surfaces and cut edges,” says Mr Hall. “The fibre laser beam kerf is very clean and approximately 10 times smaller than with CO2 lasers. In addition, real-time measuring sensors detect the slightest undulation and make material tolerance adjustments to help ensure zero rejects. Investing in this machine was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”

A table load weight of 920 kg and a 3 ton automatic loader/un-loader allows Glenmore Hane to run large orders on tight deadlines, around the clock. The company only operates a single-shift system, so the ability to run ‘lights-out’ is key.

Aerospace seat fittings, computer cases, electronic plates, brackets and ducting are among the current applications for the AMADA LCG-3015AJ, many of which are required on very short lead-times.

“The LCG-3015AJ helps us to react quickly and flexibly,” states Mr Hall. “This is one of our differentiating attributes as a business, in combination with our quality and expertise.”

Some 80% of the company’s components are made from aluminium, typically 1.5mm thick 5251 aluminium alloy. In addition, the company produces parts from 0.5 to 5.0mm thick in mild steel, stainless steel, brass and copper.

The company also makes use of an AMADA punch/laser combination machine for parts that benefit from integrated punching and tapping capabilities. AMADA’s latest HS capacitance sensing head makes it possible to smoothly and quickly follow the sheet profile to maintain a consistent cut, even when the sheet is not 100% flat.

Another machine taking pride of place at Glenmore Hane is the AMADA HG-1003ATC (Automatic Tool Change) press brake, which can load even the most complex tool layout within 3 minutes.


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