Transforming Bending Capacity at Ayrshire Metals

When a manufacturer with nearly three decades of experience in precision bending decides it is time to modernise, the results can be game-changing. That is exactly what Ayrshire Metals discovered after investing in their latest press brake upgrade, a move that has reshaped productivity, accuracy and future growth potential.

As part of its five-year strategic investment plan, Ayrshire Metals retired a 28-year-old pressbrake and installed a 14-metre, 640-ton ACCURL 6+1-Axis Tandem CNC Press Brake, suppliedby machinery specialists Axe & Status. The investment has already paid dividends, transforming both capacity and competitiveness in a fast-moving construction market.

The scale of the upgrade is impressive. Ayrshire Metals has increased its maximum bending length from 12.6 metres to 14 metres, with the ability to handle material thicknesses up to 4millimetres across the full span. This improvement not only broadens the company’s manufacturing capabilitybut also ensures greater flexibility when meeting diverse client requirements.

Perhaps the most significant change has been in reliability. The previous machine averaged around 70 percent availability, but the new ACCURL press brake has achieved a flawless 100per cent uptime since installation. This leap in reliability has had an immediate impact, enabling Ayrshire to meet tight deadlines with confidence while improving overall responsiveness to customer demand.

Technology lies at the heart of the transformation. High-dynamic Y-axis control has delivered a30 percent increase in productivity, while advanced features such as LAZERSAFE light guarding and WILA crowning have enhanced both accuracy and safety. Just as importantly, the DELEMDA66T 2D/3D touchscreen control system makes programming intuitive and highly visual. Managing Director Scott Reilly summed up the shift by comparing it to “moving from DOS to Windows”, a leap forward that has streamlined training, reduced errors and simplified complex bending tasks.

AyrshireMetals now has the flexibility to expand into new sectors, strengthen it’s competitive edge and secure improved margins. With sustainability and efficiency high on the agenda, the new press brake positions the company for long-term success in an industry where agility are essential.