Lean, clean, precise: five manufacturing advancements are allowing architects to achieve increasingly intricate and reliable fenestration solutions
Forward-thinking British steel window manufacturers are making strategic investments that are fundamentally reshapeing what's possible in production.
Advanced technology – working hand-in-hand with skilled craftsmanship – is expanding opportunities for those architects who refuse to compromise on quality and want to push boundaries with increasingly sophisticated designs.
Five changes are of particular significance here:
1. CNC sawing and machining
Computer Numerical Control machining is a production technique that uses pre-programmed software to control industrial equipment and machinery.
Crittall Windows, manufacturer of the iconic black steel that defined the Art Deco era and has never fallen from popularity since, is investing heavily in advanced CNC mills and automated sawing systems to replace the traditional manual processes that have served the industry for decades.
The payoff comes in the form of enhanced accuracy and consistency that directly improves the steel’s slim sightlines and precise tolerances that architects have come to expect for contemporary projects.
Gone are the days when human error could creep into critical cutting operations. Automated systems ensure each steel section meets exact specifications, while electronic integration with configurator software banishes paper-based processes forever.
No more transcription mistakes, no more design compromises; architects can now pursue increasingly intricate fenestration solutions confident that their vision will be realised.
2. Surface finishing
Architects have always been concerned about quality, aesthetic consistency and long-term environmental performance. Crittall's planned automation of powder-coating processes tackles those challenges.
The firm's automated immersion and transfer systems maintain consistent pre-treatment parameters, while advanced application equipment delivers uniform coating thickness and appearance across every surface.
Enhanced coating quality, supported by powder recovery systems that achieve an impressive 95 per cent efficiency, demonstrates how manufacturing innovation can serve both performance standards and environmental responsibility.
New finish options include natural metal appearances and ultra-matt coatings with subtle mica effects that catch and reflect natural light.
3. Lean manufacturing principles
Championed by specialist production engineers at Crittall, lean manufacturing is about more than efficiency gains.
By systematically eliminating the ‘wastes' of traditional manufacturing – waiting time, unnecessary movement, processing defects and their companions – companies can deliver shorter lead times and improved reliability that architects can depend upon.
Operational transformation means architects enjoy more predictable project timelines and genuine flexibility when design modifications become necessary.
Logistics and restocking systems such as Kanban and optimised assembly processes allow manufacturers to respond swiftly to changing project requirements without sacrificing the quality standards that matter.
4. Investment in people
People remain central to manufacturing excellence. Modern steel window production demands skilled technicians who can operate sophisticated CNC equipment while preserving the traditional craftsmanship standards that define British manufacturing.
Combining technical expertise with artisanal skills ensures products satisfy both contemporary performance requirements and the aesthetic expectations that architects rightfully demand.
5. Investment in process
Process enhancements can open up truly thrilling design possibilities. Advanced CNC capabilities accommodate more complex profiles and custom configurations, while improved welding processes deliver superior accuracy with tighter tolerances.
Fewer adjustments during assembly mean consistently higher quality outcomes that architects can trust.
Comprehensive manufacturing investment positions British steel window producers such as Crittall to meet whatever challenges lie ahead.
For architects and specifiers, these developments demonstrate a commitment to innovation that supports increasingly ambitious design goals.
They also build on the performance standards that British-made Crittall steel windows have represented for generations.
For more information and technical support, visit crittall-windows.co.uk
Contact:
01376 530800
hq@crittall-windows.co.uk