CASES & ENCLOSURES FEATURE
LCA Controls has switched its control panel operations from manual production to laser-machining. The company has invested in a Rittal Automation Systems 3D laser Perforex machining centre – a system which will revolutionise construction of its panels
I
n a UK first, Runcorn and Ewloe- based electrical engineering firm,
LCA Controls, has switched its control panel operations from manual production to laser-machining. The move is expected to transform its productivity and efficiency. LCA Controls, which recently came under
new ownership, has invested in a Rittal Automation Systems 3D laser Perforex machining centre – a system which will revolutionise construction of its stainless- steel panels by automating processes previously done by hand. With its integrated 3D-modelling and computer- aided design (CAD) capabilities, the centre can be programmed to manage measuring and machining to an extremely high degree of accuracy, processing panels in a fraction of the former time. The centre will allow LCA Controls to
service higher volume orders going forward, as well as rapid turnaround of bulk orders – including next day delivery. “Our investment in this new Rittal
Automation Systems machine is incredibly important for the growth of our control panel manufacturing and design business here in the UK,” explains Alan Sheppard, managing director of LCA Controls. “It is a statement of intent in terms
of our growth, as it means we can deliver more, faster, better, more efficiently for customers across the world without compromising on the quality we’re famous for.”
ONE-OFF JOBS OR MASS MANUFACTURING LCA’s control panels are used across a range of industries including nuclear, food manufacturing, power generation, water and utilities, oil and gas and pharmaceutical companies. “This new Rittal Automation
Systems machine will give us capabilities that are way ahead of the curve on our competitors in the UK,” adds Sheppard. “Combine that with our
panel building and electrical engineering across the world. “When it comes to processing panels,
The machining centre
new 3D CAD capabilities and we can immerse our customers in the design and build process like never before. They can literally fly in and fly out of the designed products we build, and we can deliver them to their door within days. “Not only that, but we can now do
one-off jobs or high volume, mass manufacturing of control panel boxes at the touch of a few buttons, which is why we’re earmarking 2018 as an incredibly important year for our business.”
REVOLUTIONISING PANEL BUILDING Paul Metcalfe, Rittal’s product manager for Industrial & Outdoor Enclosures, comments: “We’re really keen to encourage UK companies to adopt technology which is revolutionising
can speed up processing by as much as 66 per cent compared to the hand- tooled method.”
machining centres from Rittal Automation Systems, are light years ahead of the alternative, manual approach. They speed up processing by as much as 66 per cent compared to the traditional hand-tooled method. “All you have to do is go to our online Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator and it will tell you how quickly the machining centre will take to pay for itself before you place the order – we expect you to be pleasantly surprised by
what you find! “But that’s not all. We have a
comprehensive range of equipment
for professional workshop operation, which enables fully automated end-to- end mechanical engineering. That’s everything from milling and laser machining, through to wire processing and wiring, cutting cable ducts and support rails, to panel handling and assembly. It’s so much faster, and the finish is consistently second-to-none.” Further information is available at
www.rittal.co.uk and
www.friedhelm-
loh-group.com or on twitter: @rittal_ltd.
Rittal
www.rittal.co.uk T: 01709 704105
INSTRUMENTATION | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018
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