Kimla CNC Router Brings FRP Bridge Manufacturing In-House at Taziker

Taziker has invested in a Kimla BPF 3-axis CNC router from Daltons to support the in-house machining of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) components for its growing bridge manufacturing operation.

With more than 50 years of experience in UK infrastructure, Taziker provides engineering services across sectors including rail, highways, defence, energy and heritage. Its capabilities extend from civil engineering and structural fabrication to strengthening, repairs and specialist infrastructure projects.

As part of its development of FRP solutions, the company manufactures and assembles footbridges designed for use across the railway network. Taziker's work with composite materials includes components that demand repeatable accuracy, efficient processing and reliable fit during final assembly.

Building a New FRP Manufacturing Facility

The investment followed the development of a new production workshop dedicated to Taziker's FRP projects.

As a first-time CNC investment for the facility, selecting the right machine was important. Taziker needed equipment capable of processing advanced materials accurately and efficiently, while providing the engineering quality required for an expanding production environment.

Sona Khalifeh, Head of FRP Solutions at Taziker, explains that many of the sections used within its bridge designs range from three to ten metres, with a significant proportion of individual components falling within the three-metre working area required for CNC processing.

Following discussions with Daltons Sales Director Andy Walsh, a Kimla BPF 3-axis CNC router was specified for the application.

The machine was configured with a three-metre working area and an increased 500 mm Z-axis capacity, giving Taziker greater flexibility to accommodate the variety of FRP sections and components moving through production.

CNC Machining Fibre Reinforced Polymer

The Kimla is now used across several stages of Taziker's FRP manufacturing process.

Sections can be routed, drilled and profiled on the CNC, while more intricate components such as the lattice panels used within Taziker's bridge structures are also produced on the machine.

Accuracy is particularly important because individual components must come together correctly during assembly. CNC-machined slots allow the lattice sections and supporting components to locate precisely, creating what Sona describes as a structure that can be assembled almost like a large-scale Meccano set.

The move to CNC production has also simplified the journey from design to manufacture. Taziker creates its bridge designs using Tekla before exporting DXF or DWG files that can be imported for programming and machining.

This digital workflow allows component information to move directly from the 3D model into production, reducing reliance on manual marking out while helping maintain consistency between parts.

Bringing Production In-House

One of the most significant changes has been Taziker's ability to manufacture components previously produced externally.

Before installing the Kimla, lattice sections were waterjet cut by a subcontractor. Sona estimates that these components previously cost around £60 per lattice. Producing them internally on the CNC has reduced the machining cost to approximately £2 per lattice.

Alongside the cost reduction, bringing this process in-house has given the FRP team greater control over production.

Automated machining removes much of the variation associated with manually marking out components, while the CNC provides repeatable positioning for holes, profiles and connection details. Taziker has also seen a substantial improvement in production speed.

Creating a Complete FRP Machining Cell

The project extended beyond the CNC router.

Daltons also supplied an Elcon DSX Limpio vertical panel saw, Graule ZS200 crosscut saw and an LEV extraction system, providing Taziker with a wider machining cell for preparing and processing the range of materials and sections required within the FRP operation.

Rather than specifying individual machines in isolation, the equipment was selected around the production process and the types of components Taziker needed to manufacture.

For Andy Walsh, the project demonstrated the benefit of being able to tailor a European-built CNC around a customer's application. The additional Z-axis capacity in particular provided the flexibility required for Taziker's varied production requirements.

Training and CNC Support

Introducing CNC technology into a new manufacturing facility also meant ensuring the team could use the equipment confidently.

Daltons provided two days of operator training following installation, covering the machine and its programming workflow.

Ongoing technical support has remained an important part of the relationship. Sona says questions sent to the Daltons team are regularly answered within minutes, giving the FRP team quick access to assistance when required.

Supporting the Future of FRP Bridge Manufacturing

For Taziker, the Kimla BPF has become more than a standalone CNC router. It forms part of an integrated manufacturing setup that gives the business greater control over how its FRP bridge components are produced.

Processes that previously relied on manual preparation or outsourced machining can now be completed internally, with the accuracy and repeatability needed to manufacture components that must fit together correctly during final assembly.

As Taziker continues to develop its use of fibre reinforced polymer within rail and infrastructure projects, its investment in CNC machining provides the production capability to translate increasingly sophisticated digital designs into accurately manufactured components.

For Daltons, the project demonstrates how a CNC router configured around the application can help manufacturers bring composite machining in-house, reduce subcontracting and build greater flexibility into production.

Looking to bring advanced materials machining in-house?

Whether you are cutting FRP, composites, plastics or other advanced materials, our team can help you specify the right CNC solution for your production requirements.

From initial application trials and machine specification through to installation, training and ongoing support, we work with you at every stage.

Talk to us about your CNC requirements

Call 0115 986 5201 or email info@daltonsmachines.com to speak to our team.