Our four-axis machining centres allow us to work on a wide range of profiles and components, and offer a machining envelope of 6700mm x 600mm x 300mm. We’re able to extend this up to 12,000mm via third party capabilities.

Over the years, we’ve developed a range of CNC drilling capabilities, including four-axis drilling centres. These machines give us the manoeuvrability needed to reach many different angles during one operation, not only offering better results but helping to cut down the time spent rearranging work pieces on the machine. Faster processing times, automatic tool changing drill stations, and the ability to carry out more drilling by machine (as opposed to by hand) mean that CNC drilling is becoming ever more affordable.

Yes, we supply free issue drilling services to a number of customers. In these cases, the customer supplies us with the aluminium substrate and any bespoke drilling tooling needed. We then carry out the drilling in-house before shipping the worked material to the appropriate location. On free-issue drilling projects, we’re usually able to offer a turnaround of just a few weeks.

Usually, yes. Punching is a highly repeatable process that uses one die – or one combination of dies – to punch a regular pattern of holes or slots through a high number of aluminium profiles. Drilling doesn’t usually require any bespoke tooling, but it does take longer than punching, making it more expensive. In some cases, we can work with customers to redesign profiles in order to make punching possible; however, on some projects, only drilling will do.

Yes: as well as drilling all the way through a profile, we’re able to drill to precise depths to create slots and wells. Our four-axis machining capabilities enable us to carry out a range of precision drilling processes, working on even the most intricate componentry.

Not necessarily. While we do offer, and frequently use, bespoke punching dies, we’re also able to achieve bespoke patterns of holes by combining some of the standard punching dies we already have in-house. This is particularly useful for small or one-off batch runs, where investing in a custom punching mould is less cost-effective.

To find out whether your project would need a bespoke punching die, please contact us and a member of our technical team will be happy to advise.

Typically, you can expect punching dies to last between around 400,000 and 600,000 strokes, so they’re quite cost-effective. We take care of the dies we use to ensure they last as long as possible without compromising the quality of the results, by cleaning and lubricating them appropriately, making sure we use the right punching pressure, and carrying out regular checks to ensure their continued integrity.

The processing range for most CNC power presses is from 0.5mm to 6.0mm thick, after which point, alternative machining processes may be more suitable. Working with our network of trusted partners, we’ve got access to a wide range of punching capabilities suited to most projects, with press capabilities from 6mt to 75mt. If you’re not sure whether punching is the right process for your project, contact us and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Punching is the quickest and cheapest way to make a hole in a piece of metal – in this case, aluminium extrusion. It’s a highly repeatable process, which means it’s ideal for large batch runs of identical pieces. The speed and simplicity of the process help cut costs in terms of both machine time and man-hours: the process can be entirely automated, and each punch takes less than a second.

Yes, we’re able to supply bespoke punching dies for any number of projects. We work with a UK supplier to create custom punching dies quickly and affordably, helping to keep your costs to a minimum while giving you the individual results your project needs. To find out more about our bespoke punching tooling, contact us today.