Door Industry Journal - Winter 2016

NEW MACHINE BOOSTS DOOR PRODUCTION AT LEICESTERSHIRE DOOR MANUFACTURER Door production at Hörmann’s UK headquarters in Leicestershire is being ramped up thanks to new production line technology that will increase the speed and accuracy of door modifications. The CNC (computerised numerical control) machine is a digital device that uses a computer to control workshop tools. It’s one of the most advanced systems of its kind and will be used to alter the size and design of domestic doors - a job that previously had to be done by hand. It has an accuracy range of 0.03mm and it will reduce the amount of time spent on alterations from 40 minutes to just 5. In addition to boosting productivity, the system will also improve safety by minimising human contact with sharp tools. Hörmann has invested around £150,000 in the CNC technology following a further £70,000 investment in stock management after the number of modified products produced last year rose by a staggering 40%. Hörmann’s UK Marketing Manager, David O’Mara, says: “The CNC machine is a really exciting development for us. It will provide much greater flexibility for our customers, who will now be able to make more elaborate design specifications. We’ll also be able to provide much shorter lead times on domestic products and eventually we hope to explore the possibility of a 24-hour turnaround on our industrial panel orders.” For more information on Hörmann’s product range and service packages, please call 01530 513000 or visit www.hormann.co.uk THE door industry journal winter 2016 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 27 industry news NEW TOOL FOR CREATING ARCHICAD BIM OBJECTS Graphisoft UK’s Library Part Maker Tool is a software tool that allows designers and manufacturers to create their own BIM objects. Whilst being able to create BIM objects in an ARCHICAD format, the data schema behind the tool has been constructed in line with the NBS BIM Object Standard - the recognised national standard for creating BIM objects. For those creating objects, no previous GDL or programming knowledge is required; the tool allows authoring of complex geometry tied to structured data of a BIM object, either by importing geometries and spreadsheet-based data or by creating them from scratch in ARCHICAD. This should streamline the process for the newly created BIM objects to be certified and hosted on the NBS National BIM Library. Newcastle-based NBS, the UK’s leading provider of construction information and knowledge management services, created the BIM Object Standard to counteract the lack of an industry-wide standard for BIM objects. ARCHICAD is the leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) software application used by architects, designers, engineers and builders to professionally design, document and collaborate on building projects. To find out more about the NBS BIM Object Standard, visit www.nationalbimlibrary.com and the Library Part Maker can be found at https://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/library-part-maker For more information, please visit www.theNBS.com or www.graphisoft.com PRICE OF YOUR GARAGE DOOR LATH INCREASING? It’s a familiar story, receiving a letter from your supplier informing you that due to Brexit and the fact that Sterling has fallen against the Euro, has resulted in a price increase of 5% - 10% (depending on your supplier) or if buying direct from Europe you may be asked to bear the full brunt of over 20%. The perfect antidote? Alutech have introduced a new 77mm insulated garage door lath (PD77), with many of the same characteristics as the Classic 77mm lath, but it is substantially lower in cost. Available from JD UK and stocked in the UK in all the popular colours including wood effect, it uses standard end locks, guides etc, so there is no need for double stocking of any components - just take advantage and save some money! Steve Hudson MD of JD UK said: “If this touches a chord with you, maybe you could suggest that your current roller door supplier should consider looking at Alutech lath and other components to manufacture their doors from”. For more information please call Louis on 01924 472 924 or email Louis@jdukltd.co.uk