CMS Tecnocut Idroline S2040 five-axis waterjet cutterGloucestershire-based
Permali, which designs, manufactures and supplies a vast range of bespoke FRP composite panels, components, and systems, based on a wide variety of resins, fibres, cores, and adhesives, has invested in a new CMS Tecnocut Idroline S2040 five-axis waterjet cutter along with a CMS MX5 gantry five-axis CNC machining centre.
The Permali product range also includes standard and bespoke Tuftane aromatic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastic films.
This major capital investment has expanded Permali’s production capacity and upgraded its in-house 3-D machining capabilities to machine larger and more complex components from composites, metals, ceramics and other high-performance materials.
The new CMS waterjet cutter (pictured above) has a 4,650 x 2050mm bed size, designed to ensure very high standards of cutting accuracy and to increase operator safety and reduce over-spill, this latest model has automatic sliding glass barriers.
Furthermore, its innovative five-axis cutting head features CMS jet drive compensation (JDC) technology which minimises conicity, providing high-quality finish and size tolerance 3-D machining capabilities.
The proprietary JDC cutting head features include: infinite rotation for nesting cuts without breakpoints; cutting from 0deg to 62deg; automatic taper compensation up to 60deg tilt angle; 3-D machining; profile countersinking and chamfering; and monitoring of cutting component wear.
Meanwhile the new CMS MX5 five-axis gantry machining centre (pictured left) has a large 4,000 x 3,200 x 700mm work envelope, designed with a highly stable monobloc unit structure and fitted with CMS’s latest generation motors, drive systems and moving part technology.
The MX5 provides Permali with productivity performance, precision and reliability, even when machining the most challenging of materials.
Fraser Rankin, Permali director of sales and marketing, said: “Our three-axis and new five-axis water jet cutters and CNC milling and routing machines are now being used to develop new applications, particularly for more complex composite parts, not only for our long-established air, sea and land defence customers, but also increasingly for non-military market sectors, such as medical, motorsport, civil aerospace, rail and automotive.”
He added: “An example of this is Permali’s new development of complex-shaped vacuum infused FRP mouldings for use on London Underground rolling stock, compliant with EN45545 fire safety standards.
“The parts in question take full advantage of the enhanced vertical integration capabilities that Permali used in-house on this project. These included 3-D scanning, reverse engineering, CAD/CAM manufacturing, vacuum infusion, five-axis machining and painting.”