The Laser Cutting Co (TLCC) has taken delivery of a new Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 at its Sheffield facility.
TLCC is already producing flat sheet-metal ventilator parts as part of the fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic and the new TruLaser Tube is helping the company bid competitively for tube-based parts needed for the same purpose.
Established in 1976, TLCC supplies cut round and square tube, structural open sections, beams, and flat/bent metal components to customers throughout the UK. Under the same roof, the company can also provide bending, welding and sub-assembly services, backed by a large partner network of subcontractors offering further.
The 35-employee, family-run business believes its success is underpinned by continuous investment in the latest technology. So, with one of the company’s laser tube cutters approaching the end of its serviceable life, the search began for a suitable replacement.
“We are heavily focussed on processing innovative tube design, so this investment in the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 will further enhance our capability and capacity in this area,” says Director Charlie Day. “Although we’re a subcontractor, our customer slogan is ‘your partner in production’, where we can add considerable value at the design stage. The Trumpf machine will support our efforts in this area, particularly with 6-axis 3D cutting and the flow drill and tapping attachment.”
Although laser tube cutting can replace conventional machining processes such as drilling, sawing and milling, it is also now possible to perform threading operations in-cycle, replacing weak and time-consuming fixings such as nuts or rivets.
In the first machining step, the flow drill produces an extrusion that is followed by the cutting of a heavy-duty thread.
Advantages such as the flow drill will provide a competitive edge in many regards, not least when trying to win work required by the healthcare sector as it looks to boost capacity due to coronavirus.
“Ultimately, having the Trumpf TruLaser Tube in place is helping us bid competitively for work that will benefit the COVID-19 effort,” says Mr Day. “Among the tube-based work we are hoping to capture includes medical apparatus and racking systems. Such items are essential if the system is to avoid becoming overwhelmed. A lot of this work appears to be in preparation for a potential second peak.”
“Investment in the Trumpf TruLaser Tube is helping us have a seat at the table for these new healthcare components,” he says. “As well as providing cost savings, the introduction of the Trumpf machine brings a higher level of flexibility in an ever-changing environment. It will also see lead times reduce dramatically. The market is very competitive and lead times are vital, as is quality. Our parts need to be on time and correct, every time.”