Sheffield-based sub-contractor Advanced Engineering Techniques (www.aetuk.com) has invested in a third robotic welding system — one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

The Panasonic Gantry Welding System features a PerformArc PA-2DK overhead robot (with 8m of track movement) and two 3 x 1.4m workstations complete with tailstocks and positioners, allowing a team of operators to be fabricating on one workstation while the other is being loaded and prepared.

Operations director Andrew Richards said: “It is about continually building on the strengths of the Panasonic brand and the latest robotic welding technology.

“This is our third — and largest — machine; it must be said that the Panasonic systems have consistently shown themselves to be the market leaders in terms of reliability, accuracy and
efficiency.”

Meanwhile, Bystronic has installed AET’s 11th fibre laser machine — a BySprint 6kW 3015 with ByTrans automated material-handling system.

Mr Richards added: “The removal of the old machine and the installation of the new one was a testing time for the business.

“Losing 25% of our laser cutting capacity for about four weeks put additional pressure on the other machines.

“We did quite a lot of production planning beforehand to limit the impact of bottlenecks, but losing a machine over this period of time was challenging. I am pleased to say that the production team performed beyond expectations.”

AET provides a comprehensive fabrication and general engineering service to a broad range of sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energies, aerial platforms and agricultural equipment.