ML Fabcuts has added laser tube processing to its subcontract waterjet and flat sheet cutting services.
Founded 14 years ago by Matthew Levett and his wife Maria, the Crayford-based company has built its success on offering a rapid response to customers’ needs. To be able to achieve this it kept a stock of various materials ranging from 0.7 mm up to 50 mm thick, and the result is an diverse customer base ranging from motorsport through the construction industry and signmaking sector to processing one-off commissions for artists.
The arrival of a new 5 kW fiber laser BLM LC5 with integrated tube cutting module aims to build on this customer service.
The decision to invest followed a visit to the EuroBLECH sheet-metal-working technology exhibition in Hanover.
Production manager James Waldron-Stevens says: “We had known about BLM and their reputation for tube processing, but when we saw that it was possible to combine tube cutting with flat sheet processing in a seamless package it was almost an instant decision to place an order. The combination of flat bed and tube gave us peace of mind as the machine could still be used as a flat-bed machine if the tube business didn’t develop.”
In fact, since being installed in May this year, the machine is already running at 50/50 tube/sheet capacity with the aim to increase its use on tube processing to 75%.
The BLM LC5 uses a single laser source and cutting head for both sheet and tube processing, which makes switching from one process to another extremely quick.
“We simply push a couple of buttons and we can stop processing sheet, cut some tube, then return to where we left off with the sheet once we have finished the tube work. It is a feature that I’m sure we will make very good use of to meet urgent deliveries.” says James Waldron-Stevens.
He adds: “While we bought it for the tube processing capacity the option of being able to instantly switch to flat sheet means that we have also increased our sheet processing capacity, and it fits our philosophy perfectly adding to our commitment to be a one-stop-shop for customers.”
The company has also seen an improvement in quality as a result of the additional power that the BLM machine offers over its existing lasers. This has improved cut capability and virtually eliminated any deburring requirement, particularly when cutting aluminium.