720727Unison Integrated Fibre Laser and PKM MachineClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKEstablished in 1973, Unison Limited has built a successful business in the tube machine industry. Unison’s expertise is targeted at the high quality end of the tube market where significant savings can be made when using exotic materials as used in the Aerospace, Marine, Oil & Gas and Automotive Industries. Due to the ongoing need for all component manufacturers to reduce and if possible, eliminate costs, aiming for lean manufacturing, it is essential for machine suppliers to constantly update and develop their products to meet the market needs. Unison aim to develop a new machining process for the handling, fibre laser cutting, machining and processing of large diameter tubes. The project intention is to integrate new and known technologies to develop a single machine with multipurpose functionality avoiding unnecessary handling and improving accuracy. The project intends to utilise the new generation of 5 axis Parallel Kinematic Machining (PKM) machines that have the flexibility of a robot with the accuracy and rigidity of a CNC gantry machine in combination with an advanced development of Unison’s tube bending machine technology. This will negate the need for costly rotating and advancing chuck units and increase accuracy as there will be no need to integrate and synchronise two separate axis systems. Also, the PKM machine has the capability to be able to use interchangeable end effectors allowing it to perform many different operations in the same work station without the need to move or reposition the work piece, providing additional options. The development of such a machine should enable Unison’s customers to achieve a reduction in costs per operation whilst increasing the functionality of the machine will reduce the number of stations required to achieve numerous operations. This in turn will reduce power consumption, the floor space footprint and number of operators required to control the processes, ensuring increased productivity.