Lasershape, the leading UK supplier of subcontract laser cut components, has announced significant investment in the capability and capacity of its forming section. The highest specification Salvagnini panel bender in the UK and a 4m Bystronic CNC press brake have just been installed at the company’s Nottingham facility as Lasershape looks to strengthen its position as an embedded manufacturing partner for its customers.
“We have been considering a panel bender for our thinner section sheet for some time,” says Adam England, Lasershape’s Planning and Estimation Manager. “We were attracted to the technology primarily because there is no tool change or set-up time, unlike a press brake where 15-30 minutes is typical.”
The Salvagnini P2 Lean at Lasershape offers the highest specification of its type installed in the UK to date. For instance, the machine includes a CLA negative auxiliary bending tool, which is particularly useful for downward window bends or welding tabs that require sectionalised tooling. The machine also offers DPM, a special unit with suction cups that permits the manipulation foot to move aside and allow narrower profiles. Also featured is CLA SIM for automatic auxiliary bending blade composition, and P Tool, which allows various tools to be inserted under the blanking tool to perform embossing very close to the bend line without any crushing effect, for example.
“Having this impressive machine means we can offer our customers a different service to traditional press brakes,” says Mr England. “We can target different types of industries, particularly those requiring thinner gauge, box-type products, such as refrigeration, shop fitting, electrical enclosures and HVAC.”
Lasershape is using its new panel bender to process sheet from 0.5 to 3.0mm thick, for all material types, including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper, zintec and galvanised steel.
“It can fold far quicker than a standard operator, typically one fold per second,” says Mr England. “In trials we were achieving 45 bends in 48 seconds. It means we can reduce our turnaround times and sell the extra capacity that we now have. The machine is also great for complex parts. If a component has six different bends it would require the set-up of multiple tools on a press brake.”
Despite the advances offered by the new panel bender at Lasershape, demand for conventional press brake work continues apace. As a result, the company has just introduced its first 4m press brake, a Bystronic Xact Smart 225/4100, adding to the range of 3m models already on site.
“We previously had to subcontract our 4m press brake requirements, with all the extra cost and time that process incurs,” says Mr England. “We were encountering reliability issues and wanted better control over our lead-times, hence the investment.”
Among the industries driving demand for long press brake parts is the commercial vehicle sector, specifically truck bodies. The new Bystronic offers 225 tonne capacity, and Lasershape is already running the machine 24 hours a day, like the rest of its production. As a result of the investment, the company has reduced its turnaround time for 4m parts by “a number of days”.
“Although we are known for being one of the best equipped laser profiling companies in the UK, this investment in our forming capabilities means we can become an even stronger partner for our customers,” concludes Mr England. “Ultimately, we strive to build tailored business relationships based on mutual trust and shared reward that yields competitive advantage for our customers.”