Cumbria based AJ&D Chapelhow Ltd, manufacturer of fine timber windows and doors for over 60 years, is a family business with a strong continuous commitment to a sustainable, crafting and 100% âmade in UKâ product. Established by Alan James Chapelhow in 1961, the company utilises the latest technical innovations combined with heritage skills and techniques handed down over generations in order to supply a truly British quality product, from design to installation. âWe manufacture fully glazed, timber windows, doors, patios and bi-fold doors, and offer a âsupply onlyâ or 'supply and fitâ service throughout the UKâ says Alan, chairman and founder. âAll at AJ&D Chapelhow take immense pride in the knowledge that our British made products will enhance the beauty and energy efficiency of our customersâ home or work space for years to comeâ. This is the reason why the company exclusively purchases from British suppliers for its ironmongery and fittings and raw material is sourced only from suppliers that hold either the FSC® or PEFC⢠chain of custody certification schemes.
Why wood? Alan has no doubts: âTimber window frames have a natural, traditional charm that canât be found with any other window material. Delivering homes with a natural insulation, wooden windows will also keep the heat in, cold out and will help to reduce your energy bills. Timber windows can last as long as 60 years, are a long-term investment, whilst as a naturally durable material, able to withstand the most severe of weather, timber window frames help to increase the security of our customersâ homeâ. Alan and his daughter Helen Chapelhow, general manager, lead a highly skilled team of people who are able to assist customers and their architects with any planning enquiries and to guide them in any timber choice or window and door project, selecting together the most suited colour, aesthetical feature or material. âWe endeavour throughout every stage of the sales, manufacture and installation process to offer an unrivalled service, sensitive to the individual requirements of each and every customerâ adds Alan.
Advanced technology
Innovation is another main pillar for Alan and Helen who decided to purchase the UKâs first âwindorflexâ CNC machining cell for windows and doors to dramatically transform their manufacturing processes. Expertly programmed by Chapelhowâs highly skilled craftspeople and their technical partners JoinerySoft, and utilising the finest Oertli custom tooling, the âwindorflexâ can now automate many traditional manufacturing techniques. âThis machining cell efficiently reproduces windows and doors that once were highly labour intensiveâ comments Alan. âThe techniques and methods that once could only be delivered by hand, by experienced craftspeople, can now be reproduced at speed on this revolutionary machineâ. The âwindorflexâ - together with other SCM machineries in the workshop - allows Chapelhow to reach superior standards whilst delivering improving turn-round times and more competitive pricing. The introduction of this new technology also enables traditional craftsmen more time to focus their unique talents on highly bespoke projects involving work-pieces that can only be handcrafted using methods and skills honed over decades. âThis will allow us to expand our handmade bespoke joinery servicesâ.
Windorflexâs main features
The âwindorflexâ has a fixed gantry structure that enables for high machining speeds whilst ensuring the best accuracy. The configurability of the machining units with 4 and 5-axis electrospindles, fitted with HSK 63F Plus or HSK 63E tool-chuck, allows performing all the necessary operations for the production of complete windows, regardless of the type. The alternate use of the two routing units reduces the cycle time: while one unit is working, the other performs the tool change in masked time. The innovative automatic worktable, available in single or double version, is equipped with dedicated clamps for the constant holding of the work-pieces. It is possible to process from 1 to 4 work-pieces in sequence.
The worktable modularity allows managing three work-piece lengths: 3500, 4500, 6000 mm. The work-piece repositioning, from the internal side machining to the external one, is direct between the clamps, without needing additional devices, to ensure excellent finish quality. Another advantage is the automatic work-pieces loading/unloading systems that enable the machine to work autonomously, without the continuous input of the operator. These systems are available in two solutions: with loading/unloading bench or with an anthropomorphic robot that picks up the rough elements and unloads the finished work-pieces on special trolleys. Moreover, depending on the customerâs needs, the machine can be fitted with two handling devices for the work-pieces loading, with the aim to increase performance and productivity, and the front loading bench, to reduce the longitudinal footprint. The exclusive Maestro active windoor software, specifically developed for the control and the programming of âwindorflexâ, allows the interaction with external software.
Specifically, the machine model chosen by Chapelhow is a âwindorflex 1â equipped with one automatic worktable, possibility to execute pieces with 4500 mm max. length, two machining units with HSK 63F Plus tool-chuck, and automatic loading/unloading bench fitted with one handling device.
After over 60 years, AJ&D Chapelhow Ltd continue to be at the forefront of both modern woodworking technologies and traditional craft skills.
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