Coventry based Impression Technologies are now able to form larger HFQ ® pressings for their customers thanks to the ability to move tools up to 12 tonnes in weight.
To enable this, there was a need to increase the fork lift truck lifting capacity to accommodate handling the heavier press tools at their facility at Lyons Park, Coventry.
Simon Griffiths, Director of Operations & Project Management for Impression Technologies, held several meetings and discussions with West Mercia’s David Stanley and Mark Pugh prior to placing the order for a refurbished 12000kg fork truck. This followed a detailed review of alternative options.
West Mercia processed the used machine through their well – equipped workshop to the highest standard prior to delivery.
West Mercia’s Service Director, Glenn Draper installed the fork truck on site, carrying out operations familiarisation to ensure the operators had complete confidence in its use. The addition of hydraulic side shift and fork positioner attachment, gives more precise movement and this was received very well by the users and considered a major benefit in their operations.
Simon Griffiths said.
“As HFQ becomes accepted in the automotive industry, Impression Technologies is being asked to look at much larger and more complex presswork. Previously we were limited on the size of tooling we could use, and hence the size of product we could manufacture. Now we can make full use of the 3.0m x 1.6m press bed we have installed at our Coventry facility. The new Fork Truck will be instrumental in us further developing our product offering With the truck being such a high value item we were keen to make sure we optimised the equipment for our usage and David & Mark at West Mercia spent a lot of time structuring the right deal for us and then once the truck was delivered they made sure it met all of our needs and were always fast to react to our requests.“
The company opened the state of the art production and technology development centre in Autumn 2016 offering to fulfil contracts for high-end automotive manufacturers, such as Aston Martin, Lotus and Morgan.
The company opened the state of the art production and technology development centre in Autumn 2016 offering to fulfil contracts for high-end automotive manufacturers, such as Aston Martin, Lotus and Morgan.
The company patented its HFQ (Hot formed Quench) process following initial research at Birmingham University and Imperial College, London.
The process offers OEMs in the automotive, rail and aerospace sectors to form deep drawn complex shapes from high and ultra-high strength aluminium.
This process provides huge benefits and process savings as it allows manufacturers to produce cost effective light weight parts, using ultra high strength aluminium, with reduced forming operations, high levels of part integration and zero spring-back.
You can learn more at Impression Technologies website
