Unleashing Potential

Infinitus Bespoke Interiors Ltd specialises in high-end bespoke interiors, architecture and contemporary furniture for luxury houses, super yachts and prestigious commercial projects. Offering a full in-house design, manufacturing and fitting service, each project varies considerably. With high expectations from its discerning customers, the Lancashire-based business knows the importance of investing in good-quality machinery that not only offers superior quality and reliability, but also the scope and flexibility needed to fulfil the most challenging of projects. This, along with an increasing project portfolio, has led the family-run business, co-owned by Joshua, Andrew and Luke Fishwick, to invest in its first 5-axis CNC from reconditioned machinery specialist, Ferwood.

“Investing in a 5-axis CNC was the best thing we’ve ever done,” begins Luke Fishwick, Co-Director at Infinitus Bespoke Interiors Ltd. “We knew what a 5-axis CNC was capable of but we underestimated the impact it would have on our business.”

The craftsmen at Infinitus had been using a standard 8x4, 3-axis CNC machine for flat surface work but, with increasingly challenging designs needing to be fulfilled and an ageing drilling unit, it was struggling to keep up with demand. “We use a lot of MDF and Birch ply but we also use premium materials like Trycoya®, SikaBlock®, solid timber and honeycomb aluminium that we can’t afford to damage if a machine malfunctions. It also didn’t have end-boring capabilities and, with poor suction on the bed, we were unable to work with large sheets, resulting in us having to manually pin small panels to the depth of the bed.

“We needed a CNC that could work easily with bigger sheets and optimise each cut in order for us to reduce material waste and increase yield. We also needed a machine with a boring unit so it could load 10 drill bits without taking up additional tool changer space. Up-to-date software and a faster running time were also desirable but we didn’t know if these features would be financially viable.” 

After researching a number of different machinery brands, Luke found the Biesse Rover B FT 1536 on Ferwood’s website and, after viewing the machine at Ferwood’s UK showroom, he knew it fit his requirements perfectly. “We originally went to see two machines that had the specification we were after but we knew this was the machine for us. The Biesse Rover was only two years old with 50 hours on the clock and, because it fell under the ‘Ferwood Functional’ brand, the machine was function-tested by a specialist prior to being sold. Not only were we getting a fantastic piece of nearly-new machinery for 50% less than what we would have paid for it if it was new, it was also delivered, installed and calibrated by Ferwood’s engineers within two weeks. Ferwood even updated the BSolid software package for us so it included the very latest nesting software. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

Once the machine was installed, the company started to see a return on its investment almost immediately. “In under eight months, it had paid for itself twice over,” admits Luke. “We get at least four enquires a week relating to 5-axis machining work which, in turn, has changed our approach to design and manufacturing considerably.

“Not only has this machine’s 5-axis capabilities opened new doors for us, it’s allowed us to optimise and de-skill our old processes. Now, an order that requires 60 doors to be designed with intricate detailing, locks, hinge slots and end-boring can be completed in one hit without the need for routers, jigs or excessive handling.”

It also speeds up the company’s manufacturing processes. Luke says, “We save time using the CNC, even when we’re running the machine at lower speeds. That’s why we now use it for everything we make. Processing fielded panels on our old CNC was a slow process and could take up to 90 minutes per panel. I’ve just run 27 off and made all of them in a space of a morning.”

“It’s also helped us save time on simple things like cleaning a corner out on a panel. Instead of physically setting to work with a chisel, we now have a 60 degree corner cutter that cleans each corner perfectly. It’s so much quicker, painstakingly accurate and, because of the machine’s cyclone tool and impressive extractor, it’s considerably cleaner to use too. It’s such a game-changer for us and, if the cutting times on the machine’s simulator are anything to go by, things are only going to be better.”

Luke adds, “I cannot rate the machine or the service from Ferwood more highly. Ferwood’s knowledge and experience of working with this calibre of machinery is second to none. Ferwood gave us a lot of advice about the different machines and models available to us and because of that, we were able to make the best decision for our business. Knowing that machines of this quality and condition are available through Ferwood has opened our eyes to the fantastic opportunities used machinery can bring to our business. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”