Stockholder enhances capabilities with new automated plate processing machines

Steel stockholder AJN Steelstock has completed the installation of two fully-automated plate processing machines at its Newmarket, Suffolk site. Coupled with the recent upgrading of its plate handling systems, the company said the installation sees its total investment exceed £1.1M.

The dual-gantry Voortman V310s share a 28m × 3m cutting bed, which is capable of processing plates up to 9t in weight, and is said to significantly enhance the company’s in-house capabilities.

Each machine features a VD40 drilling unit with an automatic 28-piece tool changer, a Hypertherm XPR300 plasma cutting system with X-Definition cut-quality and ‘True Hole’ technology, a 3D plasma bevel unit and an Oxy-fuel cutting torch.

AJN Steelstock Finance Director Courtney Bell said: “Capable of cutting and drilling plates up to 200mm-thick, the V310s will allow us to continue meeting customer demand now and well into the future.

“The ability to cut, drill, mill and countersink in one run and one station, allows us to simplify the production process, maximise processing uptime and increase production.”

The two new machines have replaced two older units that have been relocated to double the processing capabilities at the company’s Henstridge site in Somerset.