download - Haas Automation, Inc.

According to Butler-Adams, the operator has found
programming the Haas as easy as, well... riding a bike.
Quoting the training operation as a “real success”, the
operator is regularly shaving time from machining cycles.
Important time savings, when you consider that working
flat-out, the Haas VF-1 will process 5 000 hinges a year
with plenty of capacity for more. However, Brompton is
the first to admit they are not in the “volume” market.
“My aim is not to pick up production and move it
to Asia, especially with high-technology components
such as the hinge, which make the Brompton what it
is,” says Butler-Adams. “We don’t and can’t operate
in the € 0 bike market – that’s not where we are. We
make high-quality bikes that are capable of thousands
of miles and last for years. Our standards are very high,
and our customers are people who have done their
research and realise they are buying the best. Most of
our components are bespoke, such as the brakes and
the gears.”
CNC MACHINING EUROPE
Incredibly, even the tread on the tyres is a Brompton
design.
“In terms of the VF-1, if we as a company are not
prepared to invest in the sort of technology that makes
us more efficient and improves our products, then
the competition will have us for breakfast!” exclaims
Butler-Adams. “The machine has been a revelation.
We couldn’t have taken the new hinge into production
without it and the support from Haas UK.”
As for Ritchie, with the air of a vindicated man he
concludes: “I always thought it was a good idea to have
a bike you could carry around with you.”
For all the cynics out there: a salutary lesson in
patience, perseverance and engineering creativity.