January 22, 2020

When Barry Abson created AMS Technology Solutions, then called Anglia Management Services, he couldn’t have known it would grow into the successful technology supply company that it is today. Wide-scale use of technology equipment in education was still in its infancy with only universities and forward thinking schools taking the plunge into what was a high cost endeavour.  Indeed commercial laser cutter systems were only just starting to become available for small businesses and 3D printing was still in it’s early stages and nowhere near as accessible as it is today. The more common solution in 3D applications was the CNC router and AMS supplied many of these to schools and universities around the UK. As 3D printing approached it’s adolescence towards the end of the twentieth century the large and very expensive units started to make their way into the education market. AMS facilitated the purchase of a number of these capable but messy machines into a select few universities but at that time the focus shifted to the laser cutters being produced by CadCam Technology. The speed and accuracy of these machines were perfect for the high volume of work being produced in the classrooms of the UK.

With the supply of laser cutters being the primary business throughout the noughties AMS were fast developing a substantial customer base. This brought with it the opportunity to further help our customers with ongoing support for their investments. The laser cutters that CadCam Technology produce are extremely robust and machines delivered at the turn of the century are still going strong. However, like any machine it will operate more efficiently when regularly serviced by a professional. On the advice of their customers AMS started offering various service packages to fit the needs and budgets of customers around the country. With a customer base that spans the entire UK the service and support of these has certainly kept our engineers busy.

In addition to CNC machines and laser cutters, AMS have always been a distributor of BOFA International’s ranger of fume extraction systems. This is an ongoing relationship that stretches right back to 1995 with AMS and beyond with a previous employer of Barry. This long standing association between the two companies has paid dividends for everyone concerned. For each new model of FBB Series laser cutter that CadCam Technology has developed BOFA have been there to accurately spec the correct system from their range. They also take the same care of their customers that AMS would expect. Something that is vitally important to a UK based company.

While only ever supplying high quality products, around the time of 2018 AMS took the decision to place their focus on UK designed and manufactured equipment wherever possible. Our main suppliers at that time were CadCam Technology in Nottingham and BOFA International from Poole in Dorset. This left a gap in our range in that the previous 3D printers we provided were of US origin. They were high quality but they lacked the excellent support of a UK based manufacturer. The search was on for a new manufacturer who could help us maintain our British designed and built ethos. We found this in a Leeds based company called Kora 3D. Kora have been producing their own range of FFF 3D printers since 2011 and in recent times have focused much of their efforts on the emissions of micro-particles caused by the 3D printing process. A demonstration to AMS at the Kora factory showed that this was a serious issue and the lack of a solution was putting many of our children at risk in schools across the world. Their solution was the SC range of safety cabinets developed to fit the majority of 3D printer types on the market today. Their decision to provide a solution for all 3D printer manufacturers rather than focus on their own is commendable and testament to Kora3D’s managing director, Steve Burrows, commitment to solve this problem before it permanently damages a generation of children’s health. With a current product line up that includes laser cutters, fume extraction systems, 3D printers and safety enclosures, all designed, built and supported in the UK and with a loyal and satisfied customer base AMS Technology Solutions are very much looking forward to the next 25 years.