Business Micros helps Fineline get to work on Graf Synergy machine in just three days

Just 72 hours after taking delivery of a brand new Graf Synergy machining centre, Business Micros customer Fineline Windows of Burntwood was up and running cutting windows.

The company had originally been given an estimate of three weeks to install and commission the machine, but with the help of Business Micros installation team, that estimate was totally transformed.

The machine was the first of the new Synergy models to be delivered into the UK by machinery suppliers Promac, so it was even more impressive that the Graf, Promac and Business Micros team managed to get the machine operational in just three days.

Fineline Windows works exclusively in the new build housing market, fabricating and installing up to 400 windows per week in the Duraflex Diamond Suite.  Previously it had been using a manual saw but had decided to invest in an automated machine to increase the speed and accuracy of its output.

Managing Director John Shaw said:  “Volumes are increasing for us and we are looking at further expansion as the new build sector continues to grow. The machining centre and the associated Business Micros software will give us the platform we need to sustain that expansion and to increase our efficiency at the same time.”

Fineline Windows has been a Business Micros customer since the company was set up in 2003.  It had been using the original Winstar software package since then with full Business Micros support but, because it was using only manual cutting, it was in no particular hurry to upgrade.

However, once the company decided to invest in a machining centre, Business Micros advised that the company needed to switch to its standard Evolution manufacturing and processing software.

Evolution was installed at Fineline at the end of 2014 and support technician James Hunt visited the company’s premises to train the team on how to use the software and to set up the bespoke processing defaults which would make it as user friendly as possible.

James went back to Fineline last month with Business Micros’ Sales Manager Chris Bailey to help complete the machine links required for the Graf Synergy machine.

John Shaw was very impressed with the service.  He added:  “The machine arrived with us on the Tuesday and Chris and James arrived on the Thursday.  By Friday afternoon, the software was talking to the machine, all the machine links were in place and we were able to start cutting PVC-U.

“We were amazed by how smooth the whole process was and how quickly Chris and James got the machine doing exactly what we needed.  They worked really well with Tommy from Graf and Gian and Jeff from Promac and delivered us a textbook installation in record time.”

Now that the machine is fully operational at Fineline, the team are enjoying learning about the capabilities of Evolution and the many benefits it offers over Winstar.  John said:  “The new software gives us so much scope – not just in terms of linking with the machining centre but also in terms of order processing, pricing, quoting and batching.  We’re enjoying exploring the features and the team at Business Micros are giving us all the help and support we need.”

Chris Bailey added:  “Even by our standards, this was a very quick install.  It demonstrates though just how efficient and well organised we are and how much we appreciate how important it is to every customer to get their machine up and running and earning money for them as soon as possible.”