Innovation meets transformation

Is it possible that a single machine can totally transform a business? Composites in Manufacturing hears how STAL’s purchase of a Biesse Materia CL 5-axis CNC machining centre has helped transform the company.

Stephen Slater, managing director of STAL Limited, believed that the purchase of a Biesse Materia CL 5-axis CNC machining centre to process advanced materials was a good business decision, and has been impressed by the actual rate of growth that this new capability has delivered.

Biesse Group is a global leader in technology for processing a variety of materials, designing, manufacturing and distributing CNC machines, integrated systems and software for manufacturers of furniture, door/window frames and components for the construction, shipbuilding and aerospace industries.

STAL has three CNC machining centres dating back to 2012, which process composite board for pattern making.

“We were a steady business making patterns for the casting industry,” begins Slater. “We identified a potential opening within the motorsport sector, but we needed a more versatile and larger CNC machine and one that could process aluminium as well as composite materials. We talked to various CNC manufacturers before settling on Biesse.

“It’s the best thing I could have done. Biesse have been amazing. The whole process of specifying the machine, visiting the manufacturing plant in Italy and working collaboratively with Biesse’s team who delivered the operation and software training has been brilliant. We also feel that we are pioneers as we were the first company in the UK to purchase a Materia CL.

“The benefits of buying the machine have been amazing. On the production side with one of our existing jobs, it used to take two weeks to make multiple parts. Now we can do the whole thing in a week. We can also make much larger components then we could before. This has also freed up time to do even more jobs.”

Generating new business

The Materia CL is one of a wide range of machines made by Biesse for pattern & mould making as well as all forms of 3D trimming. Machines can be specified with a range of HSD milling heads combined with controllers from OSAI, Siemens and Heidenhain.

To satisfy the need of customers requiring a larger machining volume, the Materia range is available in many sizes up to 20m x 5m.

“But by far the biggest benefit has been generating new business,” Slater concludes. “We’re now operating in four new markets: motorsport, aerospace, marine and automotive, with customers such as McLaren, Haas F1 and Porsche. We are now firmly in the mould and model making industry.

“The bottom line is that it’s helped to increase our turnover by 30% and will probably provide a return on investment of just 24 months. We’re now looking to purchase a second machine.”

www.biessegroup.com