Posted to News on 20th Feb 2007, 15:37
Unimatic to focus on 3D technologies and microtechnology
Unimatic Engineers has started 2007 with a new business plan and a new address, albeit just next door.
Unimatic's managing director Martin Stevens explains: "We have sold our automation and control division to Micromech of Braintree to fund an ambitious programme of development of high precision machinery and software for prototyping and micro-drives for precision micro-technology applications. This is where we see the major market growth and this is where we see our future too!"
The company will now focus on products that focus on the creation and use of CAD/CAM files. As well as some basic software offerings, Unimatic's customers can create files (reverse engineering) through state-of-the-art laser scanning, and can use STL files to build 3D models (rapid prototyping, rapid modelling and rapid manufacturing), or cut 2D and 3D models with laser cutting/engraving machines and a wide range of three- to five-axis CNC machines.
Unimatic's product range enables UK designers and manufacturers to speed up the modelling and prototyping processes dramatically, as well as use the benefits of CNC for flexible short-run manufacture. At a time when competition from the Far East has never been greater, it gives UK manufacturers the ability to match design and innovation capability with cutting-edge equipment that will give them a competitive edge.
Unimatic now comprises two divisions – the Machines Division and the Microtechnology Division.
Machines Division
The Machines Division offers a range of CNC machines, laser cutting/engraving equipment, rapid prototyping machines, laser scanning systems and CAD/CAM software. This combination of products enables UK designers and manufacturers to get their products to market quickly, and manufacture short runs flexibly. Unimatic sells these products to many markets in the industrial arena and also to the education market.
Target markets include medical, dentistry, jewellery and automotive. Customers include such companies as Dyson (which has invested in Unimatic machines for both R&D and manufacturing).
In education, Unimatic is a major supplier to secondary schools of equipment for the Design & Technology curriculum, as well as to various departments in Colleges and Universities.
Microtechnology Division
The Microtechnology Division encompasses piezo-motors, actuators and piezo-motor driven systems. Unimatic is a leading provider motorised systems to companies working in micro- and nano-technology, offering a number of products based around the application of the piezoelectric effect to generate high-accuracy movements in fields such as micro-electronics and medical devices.
The move of premises reflects the changing requirements of the company - but it is only from one building into the building next door. Unimatic was in 130 and now it is in 124 Granville Road. As a result, the postal address stays the same.
Unimatic's revised website, www.unimatic.com, reflects its focus on its current product portfolio.
