SL Engineering, the Lincolnshire-based manufacturer of aerospace tubular parts, has bought a second all-electric CNC tube-bending machine — a Breeze 80 — from Unison (www.unisonltd.com). This extends the size of tubing that can be bent to diameters of 80mm.

Director and general manager Shaun Stevenson says: “Engine and aircraft manufacturers are taking advantage of the advanced shape-forming capability of ‘state of the art’ bending machines by specifying more-complex shapes and highly challenging tighter-radius bends to save weight and space — and to eliminate welded joints.

The advanced bending capability of Unison machines, with greater control over tube-clamping and carriage push forces, helps us to achieve these new levels of precision.

"If we did the same jobs on our old hydraulic machines, we would be much more reliant on highly skilled operators to both set up the machines and make the parts, with additional weld joints — and hence additional cost.”

SL Engineering supplies rigid tube assemblies and precision-machined parts for aerospace applications, plus components for engine and air-frame projects involving Airbus and Boeing.

It also provides parts for industrial gas turbines, marine propulsion and other critical industry applications.