27 August 2008
AddisonMckee to release best-in-class Maestro™ bender control system at FABTECH

AddisonMckee plans to display one of their high-performance DataBend™ small diameter draw bending machines and formally launch the market’s most user-friendly tube bending control solution at this year’s FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In choosing to display one of its flagship DataBend™ series machines – a 1" (25mm), hydraulic/electric, multi-stack, multi-radius, high-performance draw bending machine designed for the production of smaller components – AddisonMckee intends to provide tube manipulators globally with a deeper insight into its capabilities.

“We are rightly known as the leaders in vehicle exhaust component manufacturing technologies internationally,” comments Global Vice President of Marketing, Christian Rogiers, “The fact is, we produce a whole range of other market-leading solutions. Accordingly, FABTECH 2008 will provide the perfect platform to demonstrate our wider product range.”

Most flexible control solution ever

Perhaps the highlight of the FABTECH show, however, will be the official unveiling of AddisonMckee’s aptly named Maestro™ controller - the most flexible bending machine control solution, designed specifically to meet the various needs of today’s marketplace. In essence, Maestro™ is a new optional "text-based" HMI targeted to the North American market. The existing "icon-based" HMI will be maintained as a global option based upon customer preference.

Highly user-friendly

Developed around extensive feedback from AddisonMckee’s global customer base, Maestro™ offers the ultimate in user-friendly design, thanks primarily to its intuitive user interface. Maestro™ also offers superior diagnostic control for real-time troubleshooting.

Highest-possible production yields and up-time

Comments AddisonMckee President-Americas, Jim Sabine, “With the launch of Maestro™, customers around the world will have increased options in front end user interfaces via a new text-based HMI to complement our existing icon-based HMI. Additionally, the Maestro™ front end will be interfaced with our new Mark VI control system on all new AddisonMckee CNC tube bending machines beginning in early 2009. The Mark series digital control platform is a proven and globally standardized system, designed to provide maximum bender utilization and up-time due to its user-friendly diagnostic capabilities and ease of use.”

AddisonMckee global support

Of course, Maestro™ is backed by AddisonMckee’s global support capabilities, including the ready-availability of world-class maintenance technicians, as well as non-proprietary, spare parts.

Delegates visiting Booth #8182 at FABTECH will be among the very first to gain the opportunity to take Maestro™ for as test drive.

About AddisonMckee

2008 winners of Managing Automation magazine's Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards – a prestigious award based on an organization’s ability to use information and automation technologies to transform its business and create a sustainable competitive advantage – AddisonMckee is globally renowned for the design, manufacture and supply of some of the world's finest tube bending and end forming technologies - for increasingly complex automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding requirements.

In addition, AddisonMckee also offers highly innovative muffler and catalytic converter assembly solutions, hydraulic press machinery, tube inspection systems, plant automation and complete workcell integration.

In addition to these capabilities, a whole range of tooling and accessory options are also provided, as are comprehensive maintenance and service contracts, training and education programs and financial services. Where applicable, AddisonMckee is also able to offer customers the opportunity of machine rebuilds, refurbishment, upgrades and trade-ins.

From its state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and China, AddisonMckee is committed to providing rapid solutions to market and also regularly assists clients in product prototyping, parts development, small production runs and pre-production sample development.

AddisonMckee is principally owned by WHI Capital Partners (WHICP), a Chicago-based private equity group that invests in middle market, industry-leading companies with solid financial fundamentals and proven management teams. WHICP is an affiliate of William Harris Investors, Inc., a family-based asset management firm founded by Irving B. Harris in 1987.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Thomas – BHL Marketing
E-mail: rachel@bhlmarketing.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1244 851850
Fax: +44 (0) 1244 851888

Christian Rogiers – AddisonMckee
E-mail: crogiers@addisonmckee.com
Tel: +1 513 228 7076
Fax: +1 513 228 7226