With headquarters in Suffolk and a total of three manufacturing sites covering 47,000 ft² of production area, Quinton & Kaines are specialists in manufacturing bespoke components from lightweight materials primarily for the touring caravan and motorhome market but also to the retail and shopfitting sectors.
"Making lighter work for you" is the slogan on their brochure and the first introductory paragraph sums up the nature of their products: "Just supposing there was a material that was stronger than medium density firbreboard, but 60 per cent lighter and was available in boards and panels from boards and panels from 12 to 75mm thick, with a wide range of facings, finishes and edgings and able to be shaped and fixed, virtually as you wished".
Managing Director John Field explains that their has been an emerging and growing trend in the demand for more complex shapes from customers which puts great demands on production flexibility. "The weight of components, especially in the caravan and motorhome sector, is absolutely critical and while new materials become available on an ongoing basis, one of the areas where there have traditionally been limitations is edging shaped composite panels to a high level."
Technical Manager Kevin Last received the brief to research the state-of-the-art technology in edging equipment to cope with QK&n;s current and future requirements. The priority parameters were: Quality, Efficiency, Capability, Delivery.
The research using the trade press and exhibitions led to Kevin Last asking Homag&n;s Keith Hack to meet their specification from the extensive range of Homag Group equipment. Quinton & Kaines were looking to edge complex shapes cut from honeycomb composites with a 2mm ABS edging.
"I have to admit that at first we were very sceptical about there being any equipment available that would cope with the range of thicknesses, the types of materials and the complex shapes we required" says Kevin Last. However Keith Hack&n;s and Homag&n;s confidence in their proven BAZ CNC stationary processing technology eventually allayed any misgivings and following many sample tests and visits to Homag in Germany, Q&K placed the order for the Homag BAZ.
The specification was carefully matched to the customers needs with a vacuum pod clamping system on the table and workpiece placement via overhead laser which can simulate 3D "see through" of underlying contours.
The tooling magazine has also been especially equipped to ensure designs are not constrained in any way.
"Another important factor" explains Kevin Last, "is the controlling WoodWop software which we have specified to allow us to import AutoCAD drawings, the software principally used by our customers and designers allowing us to simulate operations and tool paths to evaluate design feasibility. The BAZ has also been linked to our computer network offering excellent operational advantages.
MD John Field says that they gave Homag a very stringent brief including specific requirements for deadlines.
Final decisions to go ahead with the purchase also involved the customers&n; confidence and appreciation of the excellent facilities provided by Homag U.K. in terms of technical support, training and engineering back-up. "We have been very pleased with the machine&n;s ongoing capabilities combined with the professional and thorough approach we have from Homag through training to final commissioning and after sales support setting the foundation for a strong relationship in the future."