Baker Perkins is making major investments in machine tools to add capacity and improve efficiency on components for new machines, and to cut lead times for replacement parts.
The company has installed two state-of-the-art three-axis machining centres at its facility in Peterborough, UK. These machine tools, supplied by US market leader Haas, take its manufacturing capability to new levels of quality and productivity.
For example, production of extruder barrel parts, such as liners and circulation blocks, previously involved multiple operations on several machines: they can now be completed much more rapidly on a single machining centre.
Another advanced feature is synthetic operation – a dry run to validate programmes before cutting metal.
Later this year, the company will add a new agitator cell to its facilities to make extruder agitator elements.
The new cell will be highly automated and manufacture even the most complex agitator element from raw material to finished component in a single, seamless operation.
Production capacity will be increased while lead times will come down – an improvement in performance that will enable the company increase sales of these high value parts.
The company is also anticipating an increase in food extruder sales following the development of new capabilities in ingredients, TVP and biodegradable packaging to add to its existng portfolio of cereals and snacks.