Bruderer UK and Brandauer invest to mark 60 years

Above: (left to right) Rowan Crozier (Brandauer) with Adrian Haller (Bruderer UK).
Courtesy Bruderer UK

Metal stamping and tooling specialists, Brandauer, have worked with Bruderer UK to specify and install a new BSTA510-150B2 press and associated ancillary equipment.

The £700,000 machine line delivers 51 tonnes of power at up to 1050 strokes per minute, with a unique 1500mm press bed facilitating the adoption of a four element fully modular progression tool that meets the demand for volume, accuracy and part-to-part reliability for its international client.

In addition, a BBV191 precision mechanical feed was specified to cater for high tensile stainless steel that is just 0.15mm thick.

“Our relationship with Bruderer goes way beyond that of a machine supplier; in essence the press specialist has become a critical partner in our pursuit of new automated process development and ultra precision parts,” explained Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer.

The Bruderer UK press features dynamic ram adjustment and guaranteed bottom dead centre position, ensuring process stability and part quality. Ram guidance – exclusively at strip level – ensured the £250,000 progression tool is in safe hands and is kept perfectly square regardless of whatever off-centre loading is applied. This further bolsters the repeatable accuracy of the press and contributes to the longest possible tool life.

The Bruderer B2 Control delivers quicker tool changeovers by using stored data and process parameters of any given tool to automatically adjust the Bruderer press to match requirements. 

Adrian Haller, Managing Director of Bruderer UK, said: “The latest project means we have now placed 38 different machines into Brandauer’s Birmingham factory since the early 1960s.

“We know each other inside out and this means we can work quickly to test-run tooling projects, seamlessly picking-up highly confidential contracts where precision is paramount.

“Through tooling concepts, press optimisation, protection systems and ancillary equipment, we are able to jointly deliver world-class automation solutions that go far beyond a simple machine sale.”

Bruderer UK opened its new competence centre in Telford in January 2025 and this state-of-the-art facility is playing a key role in how the relationship develops.

The speed of securing spares and repairs has improved even further, whilst demonstration of machinery and ancillary equipment can be quickly arranged and completed, leading to the purchase of a Micro Servo Feeder and sensors for increased safety on the machines.
 
Engineers from both firms have also used collaborative knowledge to explore R&D projects, with the most notable being breakthrough work with Ford.

Rowan concluded: “The engineering professionalism of the Bruderer UK engineers really stands out and is something we’ve tapped into significantly over recent years – there’s a real appetite from them to make sure UK manufacturing thrives.

“A relationship of more than six decades proves the importance of collaboration and the longevity of its precision high-speed presses that are among the best in the world.”