With a company whose focus and investment in the design and development of new and innovative products has proven to be the cornerstone in its continued success, J.Banks & Co Ltd is well established as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers in the door and window hardware market.

In order to meet the growing demand for bespoke products, designed to fulfil specific customer requirements, the company’s busy technical department has recently recruited another new member to the expanding design team. In addition the company has committed further capital investment with the introduction of the very latest, state of the art, Rapid Prototyping equipment and new integrated support software programmes including, Finite Element Analysis, which allows 3D computer generated models to be load tested prior to manufacturer and Motion Simulation software, which is designed to allow the operating forces of products to be engineered to customers specifications.

The Dimension 3D Printer enables the J.Banks technical department to provide a complete design service, from original concept, through to CAD design and finally to a computer generated 3D model, in the shortest possible time from receiving the customers brief.

Technical Manager Peter Harrison comments, “The new prototype facility is already proving a major hit with customers. For a completely new product idea or when special fittings are required for a new door or window profile or if an existing product needs to be modified for a different application, we can now produce an inexpensive, fully dimensional, ABS model of the finished product, which will enable the customer to view the aesthetics, handle the product, check dimensions and confirm fit and function, within days rather than weeks”.

The new Prototyping facilities are readily available to all J.Banks customers and will also be used to support development projects in the Diecasting, Plastic Injection Moulding, Turned Parts and CNC Machining companies within the group.