AJ Manufacturing first saw Accurl machines at the MACH 2024 exhibition, on the stand of Axe & Status. After the show, the team conducted further research and visited existing Accurl users.
“It was great to see the laser cutters processing real-world parts and speak to the owners about factors like performance and reliability,” Adam Jennings explains. “It really helped us make the right call.”
Several practical considerations further influenced the final choice. The fully retractable cutting table on the Accurl Smart Cube proved particularly advantageous when handling heavier plate materials, while the machine’s compact footprint suited the company’s available floor space.
The Accurl Smart Cube 3015 6kW fibre laser was installed towards the end of 2025, with installation and commissioning completed quickly.
“The machine was up and running in two days,” reveals Adam. “Axe & Status came back a week later to deliver the training. It was our first laser cutter, so it was quite daunting, but the training was excellent and we picked it up quickly.”
Speed, quality and capability
The impact of the new laser cutter has been immediate, largely thanks to the outstanding dynamics of the Cube Compact series, which is designed with a low-set gantry, digital AC servomotors and precise planetary gearboxes. In addition, the Accurl Hypcut TwinCAT CNC provides unprecedented control of the cutting process.
“Investing in the Accurl laser was the best decision we ever made,” states Adam. “It’s around 50% faster than the plasma cutter we were using previously, and the quality of cut is far superior.”
Enhanced edge quality has removed a significant amount of secondary finishing work.
“With our plasma cutter, we had to clean the edge post-profiling,” he says. “That’s no longer necessary with the fibre laser. We’re also able to cut extremely accurate hole sizes, which means there’s no need for secondary drilling operations to achieve the tolerance required.”
AJ Manufacturing currently uses its Accurl fibre laser cutter to process various grades of steel, including stainless, sometimes up to 25mm thick. The company also cuts aluminium when demand dictates.
One feature proving particularly useful is the laser’s etching capability.
“We can write part numbers or identification marks directly on the sheet without changing the head or adjusting anything else on the machine,” explains Adam. “It’s a really handy feature that helps with traceability and organisation.”
Forming power to match
Alongside the laser cutter, AJ Manufacturing upgraded its forming capability with the acquisition of an Accurl 175-ton CNC press brake.
The company’s previous torsion-bar press brake supported the bending of basic brackets and simple parts, but the new CNC machine has significantly expanded capabilities. A notable increase in throughout has arrived courtesy of the high-dynamic Y-axis control, supporting over 30% higher productivity.
“The Accurl is a far superior machine,” states Adam. “It produces much more accurate angles across entire plate length. The machine is also easier to use, while the ability to see bending simulations on-screen makes an enormous difference, because it informs us of any potential collisions so we can adjust the program accordingly.”
The Delem DA60 series modular graphical control on the Accurl press brake features a 17″ high-resolution colour TFT touchscreen with 3D visualisation in simulation and production. The machine is currently bending materials up to 12 mm thick, with AJ Manufacturing already introducing additional tooling to extend its capabilities further.
Ready for the next chapter
The combined investment in laser cutting and CNC bending technology has strengthened AJ Manufacturing’s ability to compete for more contracts.
Says Adam: “We’re already seeing more enquiries. Thanks to the new machines, we can process parts faster and with greater accuracy, which is attracting interest in longer production runs.”
Growth is firmly on the agenda. AJ Manufacturing has recently secured planning approval for a workshop extension that will increase floor space by around a third.
“We’re hoping to start building before the end of 2026,” he explains. “Once complete, we’ll probably relocate the laser and press brake into the new space and continue expanding from there.”
Throughout the project, Adam says the support provided by Axe & Status has been key: “They’ve been brilliant. If we have any questions they respond straight away. That level of support makes a significant difference to a small business investing in new machines.”
With advanced manufacturing capability now at its disposal, AJ Manufacturing is well placed to build on early success and continue its growth trajectory.
“The new machines give us the capability and confidence to take on more complex work and larger batches,” he concludes. “Investing in Accurl machines has opened the door to new opportunities and we’re excited about what comes next.”
