A West Midlands engineering company is proving it can 'cut it' with some of the biggest names in industry after investing in new high-tech equipment.
Aquajet Profiles, based on the rejuvenated Lotus site in Allesley, Coventry, has installed innovative robotic equipment with specialised software that allows it to cut a variety of materials in a fiveaxis plane producing multishaped forms.
The three-year-old firm, started by managing director Peter McNeice, has recently added abrasive cutting to a robot, which has made Aquajet the only sub-contract organisation in the UK to provide such a service.
Since the substantial investment, thanks to the help of the Business Link service through the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the company has landed a contract for Land Rover.
Aquajet Profiles currently cuts a variety of flat profiles for a diversity of products from specialised stone paving with in-filled brass text - displayed at the Chelsea Flower Show - to fine filigree artwork in brass for a Frankfurt Bank.
The company also profiled complex cut a 150mm thick aluminium plates required for Airbus A380 tooling. Other clients include several aerospace and automotive companies and third tier suppliers to household names such as Virgin Trains.
Mr McNeice believes the new abrasive five-axis cutting unit will mean even bigger and better things for the firm.
"We have already landed one contract thanks to the new equipment and I am hopeful that more will follow," he said. "The system has added a realistic meaning to the term cutting edge of technology.
" Where our flat- bed machines cut flat profiles - albeit in a diversity of mediums from plastics to thick titanium steel - this new technology allows us to cut materials into multi-contoured shapes.
"It is that special ability that helped to win the new contract and it will certainly open up further markets for Aquajet Profiles."
