With installation of a CAMTECH Z7 CNC router supplied by AXYZ International, production of the sailing boats and yachts ranges manufactured by Cornish Crabbers has increased dramatically in line with the company’s expansion and commensurate profitability following its acquisition in 2009 by boating enthusiast and keen businessman Philip Langsdale. From its original but greatly expanded manufacturing facility in Rock, Cornwall, Cornish Crabbers builds and sells both traditional 12-30 feet sailing boats marketed under the same name for enthusiasts with a penchant for the more conventional and relaxed cruising style of yesteryear and the modern classic 30-43 feet Mystery yachts that have a special appeal to sailors who want top cruising performance and a head-turning classic style of craft.
Both are manufactured at Cornish Crabbers’ 360 square metre factory employing a staff of 32, of which 24 are skilled and seasoned boat builders. Central to the ongoing success of this well known and much respected specialist company has been the installation of an AXYZ CAMTECH Z7 CNC router. According to Cornish Crabbers’ managing director Peter Thomas: ‘AXYZ proved the most responsive to our needs and given the relatively low specification of our requirements the CAMTECH Z7 was also the most affordable option.’
The router is employed primarily for the manufacture of wooden components installed in the boats. These include interior furnishings and plywood inserts used in the laminating process. As an example of the contribution the AXYZ router has made to the speeding up of production, Cornish Crabbers’ process co-ordinator Will Harris cited the frame work for the plug of the company’s new Crabber 12 dinghy. He commented: ‘ Hitherto this would have been marked and cut out by hand and would have required at least three and a half days to complete. Using the AXYZ router, the same work can be completed in less than a day. Will Harris added: ‘Knowing that the router will cut all curves precisely and with a perfect finish has led to a much higher degree of accuracy and a shorter time scale than was previously possible.’
The AXYZ CAMTECH Z7 router is a full-sized entry-level system that shares many of the advanced production tools and capabilities of the company’s higher-end and higher productivity but inevitably more expensive machines. For example, it has the same robust construction based on a welded steel frame plus a budget-conscious set of configurations that will effectively handle all types of plastics and their derivatives, solid woods, particle and foamed boards and non-ferrous metals in 2- and 3D manifestations. It also includes as standard the latest AXYZ A2MC Control System which represents a huge advancement in machine control technology and which combines ease of use with outstanding performance to maximise productivity and the quality of cut. Among the many other notable design features are an advanced vacuum hold-down system and a high-capacity dust and particle extraction facility that is a key component of the router.
At Cornish Crabbers, the CAMTECH Z7 router is supported by ArtCAM Express production software also supplied by AXYZ International as part of a package that included on-site training and full ongoing technical support and advice. In conclusion, Peter Thomas commented: ‘We have experienced a high level of customer care from AXYZ International personnel, with the consideration and understanding of our needs, particularly during the period prior to installation, proving decisive in our decision to purchase.’
|
