Additional Press Brake Machine Installed at Pland Factory in Leeds

Pland Stainless has invested in another Press Brake for its Leeds manufacturing facility. The new 3m machine now sits neatly alongside two existing Press Brake machines, a 4m and a 3m. All three machines have been relocated to a new area on the shop floor to improve workflow, and the addition of the new machine significantly increases capacity to handle their contracted business growth.

A press brake is used to bend and form sheet metal. It works in conjunction with the company’s CAD/CAM design system to form sheet metal between a punch and die set for programmed bending. The machines are used to produce a wide range of stainless-steel products for the commercial sector. Setup times on the new machines are significantly reduced thanks to quick-clamping technology and computer-aided programming. This allows operatives to pick up pieces and add bends sequentially without putting the piece down until finished. An added benefit is the new machine’s accuracy and its ability to meet required tolerances.

“It is crucial to continue investing in a manufacturing business, and our new Press Brake machine is a great example. Pland Stainless has been producing stainless steel products at this Leeds facility for over 100 years, and we have a highly skilled workforce. Assistance from both robotics and improved machine technology helps us increase productivity and allows us to focus on more complex processes,” said Russell Haigh, Managing Director of the business.

Pland produce stainless-steel products that serve many sectors, including healthcare, sanitaryware, washrooms, laboratories, education, catering, and janitorial, as well as an anti-vandal range for secure accommodation. Products such as catering sinks, cabinets, tables, slop hoppers, scrub-up troughs, urinals, and multi-faith foot-wash troughs are second nature to them, and they also design and manufacture many bespoke solutions.