Beakbane will showcase its portfolio of machine protection products and contract manufacturing services for machine tool builders at the EMO exhibition in Hannover from 19 to 24 September.

Products designed and manufactured by the Kidderminster-based company are used by leading machine tool OEMs around the world. They include telescopic slideway covers, folding concertina covers for axis drives, slideway wipers to ensure reliable long-term performance, armoured aprons and roller blinds. At EMO it will introduce its latest lamella covers for machine tools, which combine lightweight construction with heavy-duty capability.

These products are used on equipment that includes machining centres, milling machines, boring machines, lathes, grinding machines, laser and waterjet cutting machines, routers and woodworking equipment.

Beakbane works in partnership with the customer to develop tailor-made systems to suit the dimensions, duty cycle, operating environment and performance characteristics of the machine. These are then tested in-house to prove fitness for purpose over a typical lifetime duty simulation.

The company recently invested in a £100,000 test suite which includes a purpose-built CNC rig for testing protective machine tool covers. This features a moving column box construction with linear drives that exactly emulate the axis movements and duty cycles of a machining centre. As well as proving components for today’s machine tools the rig can also operate at axis speeds of up to 120m/min and accelerations of 2g to develop components for next-generation machines.

Beakbane complements its machine protection product portfolio with a contract design and manufacturing service for metal fabrications, including 2D and 3D design, punching, laser profiling and precision forming. This capability is backed up by expertise in plastics, fabrics and composites, and follow-on operations that include welding, mechanical and electrical assembly, and finishing.

Typical items manufactured for machine tool customers include guarding, enclosures and door kits, as well as heavier fabrications for items such as machining centre tooling magazines.

The company has been accredited to ISO 9001 since 1994 and is used to working to JIT and ship-to-line requirements for international machine tool manufacturers including Yamazaki Mazak and Heller.

Investments in its manufacturing capability include Solidworks 3D design software, a Trumpf 3030 laser profiling system, LVD EasyForm press brakes and, most recently, a Trumpf 6000 combination laser punch press.

Established in 1954, Beakbane is also one of the world’s leading suppliers of flexible bellows and couplings for a wide range of applications in industries as diverse as medical equipment, transport, water treatment and power generation.

Managing Director Mike Southwell said: “We are looking forward to showcasing our capabilities at the world’s biggest machine tool event. EMO is doubly important for us as both visitors and the exhibitors are potential customers for our products. Indeed, many of our existing customers are among the 2,000 exhibitors at the show and will feature our products on their machines.”

If you are visiting EMO come and see Beakbane in Hall 7 on Stand A47.