Metal Assemblies Ltd has installed a new 3kW fibre laser cutting machine as part of its strategy to deliver high-quality, cost-effective fabricated and assembled solutions, rather than operate as a traditional subcontract laser cutting “jobbing shop”.
The new fibre laser system features a 3000 x 1500mm working area, 0.03mm positioning accuracy, and a dual exchange table. This allows loading and unloading to take place while cutting is in progress, supporting continuous operation, improved efficiency, and faster turnaround times.
For Metal Assemblies Ltd, the investment is not about entering the already crowded laser cutting market. Instead, it is designed to enhance the company’s core capability: supplying complete metal assemblies supported by flexible, in-house manufacturing.
By bringing laser cutting in-house, the company can eliminate costly press tooling for low-to-medium volume parts, produce complex components quickly and flexibly, integrate cutting directly into assembly workflows, and support product development, prototyping, and design changes without tooling delays.
This approach positions Metal Assemblies Ltd as an ideal partner for customers requiring engineered assemblies, rather than simply standalone cut parts.
Iain Collis, Managing Director at Metal Assemblies Ltd, said: “This investment isn’t about entering the high-volume laser cutting market – it’s about giving our customers a more flexible and cost-effective route to manufacture complete assemblies. By removing the need for expensive tooling, we can support lower volumes, complex designs, and evolving products while maintaining precision and consistency.”
The 3kW fibre laser enhances the company’s ability to manufacture intricate parts in-house and combine them seamlessly into finished assemblies. This reduces reliance on external suppliers, shortens lead times, and improves overall quality control across the production process.
With its dual exchange table, the new machine maximises uptime and ensures efficient production flow—key to supporting assembly-based manufacturing rather than standalone part supply.
The investment reflects a deliberate strategy to focus on value-added manufacturing rather than competing primarily on price in the subcontract cutting market.
By aligning laser cutting capability with its established assembly expertise, Metal Assemblies Ltd continues to differentiate itself as a solutions-driven manufacturing partner, helping customers reduce total production cost rather than focusing only on piece-part price.
Earlier this year the company reinforced its long-term machining strategy with the order of two new two new Star SR-32JIII Type B sliding head lathes.
The investment marks a significant next step in the continued development of Metal Assemblies’ CNC turning capability, which has historically supported the company’s internal production requirements for complex welded assemblies. Increasingly, this capability is also gaining traction as a standalone machining service, attracting new customers seeking high-quality precision turned parts as a direct supply solution.
metalassemblies.co.uk