Welshpool-based Dawson Shanahan (www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk) — a specialist in the cold-forming and machining of high-precision customer-specified copper, aluminium, ferrous and assembled components — has invested in a new high-speed Formax cold-forming machine, taking its investment in new machinery to £500,000 for the third year in a row.

This four-die machine will boost the company’s output and enable it to make larger cold-formed parts. In addition, the Formax FX54M is specially designed to allow fast tool change-overs. Tools can be pre-set — using a second tool pack on a jig — while a production batch is still running. Faster tool change-overs will reduce machine down-time and help to raise output.

An added bonus of this arrangement is that — with careful production scheduling — a third and fourth die pack will allow the company to accommodate smaller batch quantities, with shorter run times. This, in turn, cuts the need for component inventory.

With over 70 years’ experience, Dawson Shanahan offers complete solutions, with everything from prototype to production designed and manufactured in-house to reduce both lead times and costs for its customers.

Over 80% of its output is exported, and its products are meeting the demands of a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, laser, medical, packaging, plasma, power distribution and telecoms.