Unison becomes tube bending partner of the Advanced Forming Research Centre

Unison Ltd, a UK manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines and the inventor of precision all-electric tube manipulation, has joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC). A specialist centre within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the AFRC provides member organisations of all sizes with access to cutting-edge equipment and technical capabilities to help push the boundaries of advanced manufacturing, material behaviour and material processing.

As the only tube bending machinery manufacturer within the AFRC, Unison is uniquely positioned to provide consultancy across tube manipulation processes. This activity includes delivering industry expertise, insight and technical support to projects undertaken by the AFRC, as well as assisting with collaborative research projects.

“We’re delighted to join the AFRC,” comments Unison’s Joint Managing Director Alan Pickering. “Our tier-two membership will enable us to support even more companies with their tube manipulation, wire and end-forming challenges. At the same time, we look forward to utilising the AFRC’s technical forming and modelling expertise to assist in the development of new tube-forming technologies in the pipeline, particularly in relation to the aerospace sector.”

He continues: “At Unison, we’re committed to championing businesses to ‘buy British’, especially as the UK produces some of the finest technologies and machine tools in the world. Our AFRC membership will also help us to fly the flag for British manufacturing.”

Brad Wynne, Director of the AFRC, adds: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Unison Ltd to the AFRC. As the UK’s leading manufacturer of ultra-precise tube-bending machinery, Unison will work with us to extend our research in the area of rotary draw tube bending. We envisage that initial projects will explore areas such as novel tooling, process modelling, physical trials and material analysis – all helping unlock rotary draw bending for higher integrity applications across defence, aerospace, energy and other advanced manufacturing sectors.”

“For our part, we look forward to working with Unison to utilise their expertise, capabilities and equipment in various collaborative projects and, where appropriate, with many of the global organisations that are part of our membership,” adds Tracy McCarroll, Head of Membership and Strategic Relations at NMIS. “We also look forward to involving Unison in suitable R&D proposals which would benefit from their considerable knowledge and input.”