Bigger, faster press tools

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Media Name: hlp.jpg

HLP Engineering Solutions, a specialist in press tools for the automotive industry, has invested in a further wire erosion machine.

The Sodick AQ750L Premium, supplied by Sodi-Tech EDM, not only provides more size and time capacity, but greater precision and around 25-30% more speed than the machine it replaced.

Based at Halesowen in the West Midlands, HLP Engineering supplies a number of tier-one automotive suppliers with multi-stage progression tools. Founded in 2009 by experienced toolmakers Luke Hobbs and his business partner Phil Littlewood, HLP has quickly grown to become a respected industry name in presstool manufacture.

“We started with no premises, machines or money, and would simply cold-call to get work,” explains Mr Hobbs. “A friend offered us some space in his unit and we bought a few pre-owned Sodick wire EDMs from auction. We were familiar with Sodick machines from previous employment and they are tried and tested as far as we’re concerned. We also know the guys at Sodi-Tech and the level of support they provide.”

Progress at HLP soon accelerated. After a brief stint in a rented unit the company acquired its own premises in Halesowen, with three pre-owned Sodick wire EDMs in place. However, faced with yet more demand for its services, the company recently sought to expand its capacity even further.

“We needed to extend the size envelope of what we could offer customers,” explains Mr Hobbs. “In addition, we knew that bringing in another Sodick would also release capacity on some of our other machines.”

The AQ750L Premium was developed by Sodick in response to growing demand for large dies and can handle a maximum workpiece 1050mm long, by 750mm deep, by 400mm high. In addition, up to 3000kg can be accommodated on the work table.

“Along with the size, the AQ750L Premium has introduced us to new-generation technologies such as linear drives, which compare favourably against our other machines that feature ballscrews,” says Mr Hobbs. “It means that surface quality is enhanced and energy consumption is reduced. The machine has become the showpiece of our facility.”

Installed in February 2018, the AQ750L Premium has been set to work producing parts for automotive press tools, such as forming and cutting steels. All are one-off items, with most manufactured from D2 tool steel to micron-level tolerances. Run times vary from 30-45 minutes for smaller parts, up to 20-30 hours for a large punch block.

Beyond press tools for the automotive industry, today the company has diversified into the manufacture of jigs and fixtures, as well as subcontract wire EDM work and general subcontract CNC machining.

www.hlpeng.co.uk

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