Unison Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines, and the inventor of precision all-electric tube manipulation, has joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC).
A specialist centre within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the AFRC provides member organisations of all sizes with access to cutting-edge equipment and technical capabilities to help push the boundaries of advanced manufacturing, material behaviour, and material processing.
As the only tube bending machinery manufacturer within the AFRC, Unison is uniquely positioned to provide consultancy across tube manipulation processes.
This includes delivering industry-leading expertise, insight and technical support to projects undertaken by the AFRC, as well as assisting with collaborative research projects.
“We are delighted to have been invited to join the AFRC,” comments Unison’s Joint Managing Director, Alan Pickering.
“Our Tier Two Membership will enable us to support even more of the world’s leading companies with their tube manipulation, wire and end-forming challenges. At the same time, we look forward to utilising the AFRC’s considerable technical forming and modelling expertise to assist in the development of several new tube forming technologies we have in the pipeline – particularly in relation to the aerospace sector.
“At Unison,” he continues, “we are committed to championing businesses to Buy British – especially as Britain produces some of the finest technologies and machine tools in the world. Our AFRC membership will also help us to fly the flag for British manufacturing!”
“It is a pleasure to welcome Unison Ltd to the AFRC,” adds Director of the Advanced Forming Research Centre, Brad Wynne.
“As the UK’s leading manufacturer of ultra-precise tube-bending machinery, Unison will work with us to extend our research in the area of rotary draw tube bending. We envisage that initial projects will explore areas such as novel tooling, process modelling, physical trials, and material analysis – all helping unlock rotary draw bending for higher-integrity applications across defence, aerospace, energy, and other advanced manufacturing sectors.”
“For our part, we look forward to working with Unison to utilise their expertise, capabilities and equipment in various collaborative projects and, where appropriate, with many of the global organisations that are part of our membership,” adds Tracy McCarroll, Head of Membership and Strategic Relations at NMIS.
“We also look forward to involving Unison in suitable R&D proposals which would benefit from their considerable knowledge and input.”
Unison Ltd is the UK’s leading manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines and continually innovates the tube and pipe bending marketplace.
The company manufactured the world’s first all-electric tube bender in 1994, followed by the world’s first all-electric multi-stack tube bender, then the world’s largest all-electric tube bender for the shipbuilding industry.
Available in single-stack, multi-stack and right/left varieties, Unison machines are delivered to more than 20 countries globally. Unison’s tube bending software is recognised as the most user-friendly control system for tube bending machines.
The software is written and supported by Unison, ensuring complete control of its evolution, with no need for third party support.
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is a group of industry-led manufacturing R&D, innovation and skills facilities supported by a network of Partners across Scotland, all working together to transform the future of manufacturing.
It is where industry, academia and the public sector work together on ground-breaking manufacturing research to transform productivity levels, make companies more competitive and boost the skills of our current and future workforce.
The NMIS Group includes the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, Digital Process Manufacturing Centre and researchers working with companies across the manufacturing community in Scotland, the wider UK and beyond – from aerospace giants to renewable energy disruptors, first-time inventors to household automotive names.
It also includes the Manufacturing Skills Academy, which is transforming the manufacturing workforce of today and tomorrow.
NMIS is operated by the University of Strathclyde. It is supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Island Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Funding Council.
It is part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. The flagship NMIS building is at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire.
