Product category:
Tubeworking: bending, cutting-off, profiling and end working
News Release from: AddisonMckee | Subject: Tube forming machine making
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 May 2006
Tube forming machine making spans 50
years
Claiming to be the world's leading producer of tube forming machines for the car and truck exhaust pipe manufacturing, a UK company has an engineering pedigree that spans almost 50 years.
Addison-McKee, now acknowledged as the world's leading producer of tube forming machines for the car and truck exhaust pipe manufacturing industry, has an engineering pedigree that spans almost half a century, placing it in a premier league of global manufacturers The original Addison Tool Company was founded in 1956 when it began importing Pedrazzoli metal cutting saws from Italy
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Gradually, tube-bending machines were also added to the range and in 1974, the company became the European agent for the first CNC tube-bending and measuring machines.
Another milestone was reached in 1981, with the launch of Addison's own highly advanced DB 63 and Addata bending and measuring machines, which it specially designed to meet the needs of the automotive exhaust industry.
Following its acquisition by the Elliott Group in 1989, the company went from strength to strength, and its portfolio of skills was further extended when it merged with the well-known US tool-making company McKee, acquired by Elliott in 1998.
Further reading
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Incorporating shear blade cut-off technology into all-electric tube bending machines provides a cleaner, quicker system and results in considerably less end-length wastage.
Tube forming system produces roll-over bars
Specialising in the manufacture of tubular steel type components for the motor industry - a South African company wanted a tube bendier capable of producing rollover bars with a central arc.
CNC bender produces four SS pipe joints in 7s
High volume CNC pipe bending system - delivered to a German plumbing component maker - produces four SS 90 deg or four 45 deg elbow joints every seven seconds.
Based in Ohio, the company's US counterpart McKee-Addison, also employs the very latest technology and production facilities to produce approximately 150 endforming machines annually, which are used in auto exhaust systems, furniture, sporting goods, hospital equipment and a host of other products.
* A solutions-led approach - today, Addison-McKee is a formidable player in the automotive exhaust industry market, employing 200 people from its UK headquarters at Walton Summit, Lancashire.
The company prides itself on being primarily a solutions provider serving the needs of a global blue-chip client base by designing and manufacturing purpose-built machines including benders to make tubular manifolds and equipment to automatically bend pipes of differing radii.
It also designs and manufactures equipment for tube sizing, expanding, reducing and slotting.
In the early 1980's Addison set the tone for its innovative approach by launching a fully automatic CNC pipe-pending machine, the Powerbend PB 63X - which was the very first dedicated UK designed and manufactured 'empty' draw bender for the automotive exhaust pipe manufacturer.
In 2002, the company continues to meet its customers' needs for individual solutions through a responsive, tailor-made approach.
This has led to a number of revolutionary design solutions.
Solutions through advanced technology Advanced control technology, a key feature of the company's approach, is exemplified in the Addison-McKee Databend Control System, now used in thousands of installations worldwide.
Its advanced software is interfaced with the unique Addata Plus - a self-contained free standing Tube Measuring and Inspection Centre featuring a unique and highly sophisticated non-contact sensing system.
The company also manufactures Addison Bending Cells, known as (ABCs).
The equipment, which incorporates automatic loading to Databend CNC tube bending machines with off-loading devices and transfer to end-forming and/or sizing machines enables manufacturers to maximise the efficiency of their production lines.
Addison-McKee's commitment to finding cost-cutting environmental solutions for the industry is further illustrated by the advanced 'green' design and cutting edge technology of the new Electra 75 range - a new generation of all-electric tube bending machines.
The system has a number of key advantages for users including a modular construction that enables different formats to be produced based on the same fundamental design.
More importantly however, the fully programmable 9-axis basic Electra offers CNC control of all movements paving the way to new, radical solutions to traditional tube manipulation problems.
* A world player - Addison-McKee's skilled workforce is capable of manufacturing CNC tube bending and tooling to suit virtually any application.
The UK site is equipped with a large variety of modern CNC machine tools, supported by Computer Aided Manufacturing and up to 30 design engineers working within integrated management TQM procedures.
Addison McKee systems are also used for a wide range of tube bending and forming applications in the shipbuilding, aerospace, furniture, sports and hospital equipment industries.
At its UK plant alone, the company produces a range of over 50 basic hydraulic and electric CNC machines that can bend an astonishing range of tubes from 4mm to 273mm diameter.
Addison-McKee machines are supported by a fast response round-the-clock spare parts and on-site assistance service manned by a large team of skilled service engineers.
With over 3,000 of its machines installed worldwide, the company enjoys a global reputation for innovative solutions linked to a firm commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of its customers.
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