Investment in equipment boosts Structure-flex capabilities
Thermoplastic manufacturing specialists Structure-flex have announced a significant investment in new equipment aimed at increasing both capabilities and capacity as they look forward to another successful year.
The Norfolk-based manufacturers have purchased two Forsstrom TDW 24 kilowatt travelling high frequency welding machines which operate on a 38-metre track for bonding together large sections of thermoplastic coated fabric.
Structure-flex is the UK’s largest producer of lorry tension curtains, as well as a major manufacturer of other PVC-coated fabric products, including bio-gas holders, water-filled 110 tonne crane test bags and pillow tanks which can hold up to 250,000 litres of liquid.
High frequency (HF) welding uses a very strong electromagnetic field to fuse together thermoplastic (typically PVC) covered fabric to create an exceptionally strong and airtight bond.
“Our new equipment’s extra-long track gives us the versatility to not only produce lorry curtains side-by-side but also manufacture many of our largest products without the handling challenges we’ve experienced using HF welding equipment on shorter tracks” says Paul Reeve, Managing Director.
Structure-flex have also made changes to the layout of their manufacturing facilities, including sectioning off floor space to make it easier to handle larger materials on their existing, smaller welding machines.
“It’s all part of a programme of improvement following a record year for customer demand, particularly in lorry tension curtains. We’re continually looking for ways to increase efficiency and reduce lead-times” adds Paul.
Designed and built in Sweden, the Forsstrom high frequency welding machines have been specifically configured to meet Structure-flex’s needs.
“Due to the depth and breadth of our product ranges, the new equipment is able to work with coated textiles varying from just 375gsm (grams-per-square-metre) to very heavy duty 3000gsm” states Paul.
Mounted on a 38-metre-long bench which supports the two pieces of thermoplastic covered fabric being joined, the automated HF welding machines travel along its length to quickly fuse them together.
Structure-flex was established in the late 1960s, just one year after the flexible lorry tension curtain was first introduced.
As well as becoming the UK’s leading suppliers of lorry tension curtains, Structure-flex now provide a wide range of flexible thermoplastic coated fabric products, including the Mobildeich flood barrier system which is proving popular across Europe.
The new Forsstrom high frequency welding machines were installed in November 2022 and have already led to a significant increase in production capacity.
For more details on Structure-flex, visit https://www.structure-flex.co.uk/
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