Dorset-based Ellesco (www.ellesco.co.uk), a leading supplier of deburring, polishing and finishing machines in the UK & Eire has been appointed as sole UK & Ireland agent for the sales, installation and servicing of the Kohler Peak Performer range of electro-mechanical sheet-levelling machines (www.kohler-germany.com/en).

Manufactured by Kohler Maschinenbau GmbH in southern Germany, the machines are designed to stress relieve sheet, plate and components making processes such as welding, bending, and assembling more efficient, particularly where they are being used in conjunction with automation.

By flattening and levelling the work the resulting workpieces exhibit greater elastic recovery when bent, significantly reducing the amount of rework required: edges designed to be straight are consistently straight not wavy, and subsequent folds are of the correct dimensions.

The Peak Performers are particularly energy efficient as Kohler has replaced hydraulic drives with a clean and precise servo-electronic control, enhancing safety and the working environment, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.

With an extensive choice of models capable of processing sheet and components up to 3,500mm wide and from 0.2 to 65mm thick, there is a machine suitable for every process and pocket.

Vincent Simonis, Ellesco managing director, said: “The addition of the Kohler Peak Performer range to Ellesco’s portfolio adds significantly to the support we already provide to those processing sheet and plate. It is a perfect fit for us and follows on from, or even precedes, the Timesavers deburring and de-slagging machines we are renowned for.

“Indeed, we are only the latest Timesavers agent to add Kohler to their portfolio and really honoured to be asked out of the blue. Others before us have successfully made the marriage.”

“The benefits of flattening and stress relieving sheets prior to further processing, in applications such as laser, punching and plasma cutting, are significant yet often under-estimated.

“One of the biggest headaches we have in specifying the robotic or manual weld dressing machines from Autopulit, Peitzmeier and KBM are the inconsistencies of the welds, even robotic ones.

He concluded: “The Peak Performers eliminate those discrepancies so it’s in our mutual best interest to have the customer improve their quality earlier in the manufacturing process rather than when the product has been fabricated.

“The team here at Ellesco will be working hard to get that message across to help customers improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.”