Specialists in advanced engineering solutions, Pipex Ltd have been operating for over 40 years. Looking to streamline certain areas, they invested in two Elcon vertical panel saws from Daltons Wadkin. The Elcon 155DSX Limpio and an Elcon 155DS – one for cutting GRP and one for Thermoplastics. We spoke with James Hood, Senior Production Manager, to find out how the investment is impacting production and safety.
What does Pipex LTD produce?
“We manufacture a wide range of products from handrail systems, sub-sea structures, foot bridges, pumping stations, manhole chambers, and fibre glass piping. All from advanced materials such as composites, thermo plastics etc”. Pipex Ltd supply products to a range of industries including civil construction, oil & gas, marine, and chemical & industrial.
What methods were you using previously?
“We had an Elcon saw previously and it worked well in that division, so we thought let’s try and do that in the composites division, which was when we approached Daltons Wadkin”.
The two Elcon saws join an impressive line-up of high-tech manufacturing equipment at Pipex. Before the two Elcon vertical panel saws were installed, James explained their previous methods were too time consuming, and lacking accuracy. “The conventional way we used to process some of the materials was very manual and required a lot of manual lifting and cutting, we just wanted something to automate that process”.
How have both Elcon panel saws impacted areas of production?
“The quality has increased, the safety benefits have increased, and also production has increased”, enthused James. Impressively he reports a “40% increase in production”, compared to their previous methods.
The Elcon DS model is highly customisable and can be configured with a range of options for processing wood based panels, composites, plastics and non-ferrous metals. For non standard material sizes the Elcon DSXL can be extended vertically and/or horizontally to provide increased cutting capacity. The award winning Limpio dust extraction greatly reduces dust emissions by simultaneously extracting waste from both the front and rear of the panel – particularly useful for cementitious materials.
How have operators adapted to Elcon sawing technology?
James explains that Pipex operate a system whereby certain operatives are assigned to new machines. This helps in terms of safety, the day to day cleaning of the machines, and they also report an increase in operator wellbeing. Certificated operator training for both machines was provided by the Daltons Wadkin expert ‘red team’ of trainers.
“We have a motto, ‘Producing Excellence’, and that’s what we drill into our employees, asking if they’d be happy with the product themselves. The pride in what we do, the flexibility we offer, the advanced designs and manufacturing are what set us apart”.
Would you recommend an Elcon vertical panel saw from Daltons Wadkin?
“We will continue to come back to Daltons Wadkin for machinery. I’ve dealt with plenty of suppliers, and you’re up there as one of the best”. It appears that James and the team at Pipex are getting the most out of their new panel saws, and the Elcon machines are worth their weight not only in gold, but in GRP and Thermoplastics as well.
Elcon Vertical Panel SawsFor more information on the Elcon range of vertical panel saws contact Daltons Wadkin, exclusive distributors for the UK and Ireland. Tel 0115 986 5201 Email info@daltonswadkin.comm or visit www.daltonswadkin.com
