Twice the cutting speed

Higher cutting speed equals higher laser power. This formula has been more than just a rule of thumb, but Trumpf engineers have now severed the correlation between speed and kilowatts.

The fruit of their labour? The Highspeed and Highspeed Eco cutting processes.
A newly designed nozzle boosts the feed rate by up to 100% for solid-state laser machines that employ fusion cutting with nitrogen. What’s more, laser power does not need to be increased. Not only is the feed rate now faster, but also the piercing process. These new cutting operations also allow for nearly a two-fold increase in sheet throughput compared with standard cutting, says the company, while less cutting gas is used thanks to the nozzle’s design. The Highspeed process requires 40% less nitrogen on average, with the Highspeed Eco 70% less.
In fusion cutting, gas under relatively high pressure blows molten material out of the kerf, which entails high operating costs. Flame cutting using oxygen has traditionally been used for mild steel, especially for relatively thick sheets. The advantage of low gas costs is offset by oxidised cut edges, which often need to be reworked.
Trumpf’s new Highspeed and Highspeed Eco processes, by contrast, are faster and use less gas, which greatly increases the cost efficiency of fusion-cutting mild steel with nitrogen. In addition, the scope of application is today broader for 8 kW lasers used in fusion cutting. The laser can now cut sheets as thick as 12 mm, instead of just 10 mm as in the past.
For further information www.trumpf.com

Gratnells invests in latest laser technology

Gratnells Engineering has recently invested in a new BLM LT Fiber machine, allowing the Harlow-based company to expand its capabilities and ensure clients benefit from even faster turnaround times.

This brand-new machine sits next to the existing LT5, a laser tube-cutting machine designed to cut from small-to-medium diameters and thicknesses of metal tubular sections. Gratnells’ new LT Fiber allows tubes of any shape to be cut, as well as the processing of special sections and even open shapes – without any additional special equipment required.
The laser-cutting range boasts an automated unloading and support system for pre-cut lengths up to 6100 mm, automatic weld seam detection, and a module that maintains the cleanliness of the internal tube surface when machining. Anti-crush technology makes the machine capable of processing even the lightest of tubes without deforming the walls.
BLM’s LT Fiber machine is already helping to increase factory efficiency by allowing unloading to various positions, with finished parts from one machine being unloaded while production continues uninterrupted on the other. The need to manually separate parts from different orders has also now been eliminated.
Loic Jones, operations director, says: “Gratnells Engineering decided to invest in state-of-the-art laser technology to enable us to offer fast production runs with the best quality finish. This substantial investment will allow us to continually support the ever-demanding needs of modern manufacturing clients”.
The Gratnells Engineering factory can turn around tube laser-cutting jobs within 3-5 days from receipt of order and, using sophisticated software, can process parts from a variety of media.
For further information www.gratnellslasercutting.com

LCA moves to new facility

Electrical engineering specialist LCA Group is looking ahead to a sparkling future after the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Ken Skates joined staff and management to open its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Wales.

LCA HQ opening visit by AM and Lord LCA HQ opening visit by AM and Lord Barry Jones. LCA HQ unveiling new machinery visit by AM Ken Skates and Lord Barry Jones at their Hawarden plant.

Skates cut the ribbon at the new building on the Hawarden Industrial Park, which is named ‘Gibson House’ in tribute to the famous Dambusters pilot and the many Lancaster bombers built close to the site, near Hawarden Airport, during WWII.
LCA managing director Alan Sheppard and David Williams, who chairs the LCA Group board, spoke about the firm’s future and its commitment to North Wales business at the event, which was also attended by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, as well as regional business leaders.
The launch event was rounded off with a chance for the invited guests to view LCA’s new £500,000 ‘UK first’ 3D laser machining centre from Rittal. As the only one of its type in the UK and one of only seven similar machines in the world, the laser machining centre will enable LCA Group to dramatically boost production of its stainless steel control panels.
Traditionally made manually by experienced electrical engineers, who have all been retained as part of the move to Hawarden, the manufacture of LCA’s control panels is essential in a range of industries, including nuclear, food manufacturing, power generation, water and utilities, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical.
The relocation will mean the consolidation of the two existing LCA Group sites – in Runcorn and Ewloe – under one roof, enabling the company to significantly expand its service offer to customers around the globe.
For further information www.lcacontrols.co.uk

Seco sets date

The annual ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ manufacturing best-practice event staged by Seco Tools UK will this year take place at the company’s technology centre in Alcester on 9-10 October.

Inspiration through Innovation will host 40 exhibitors, a full seminar programme, a series of best-practice tutorials and 18 machining demonstrations. All technical partners, representing machine tool builders, and CADCAM, work-holding, cutting fluid and metrology specialists, will be directly involved in at least one machining demonstration. The event is free of charge.
For further information www.secotools.com/ITI

ITMG launches

A new consortium of like-minded companies has been launched to boost UK manufacturing’s productivity and competitive advantage.

The In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group (ITMG), a not-for-profit organisation, has been created to give SME manufacturers access to world-class technology, and business and learning support that can bridge the skills gap, increase R&D, help drive continuous improvement and embrace Industry 4.0. Over 140 members have already signed up to receive discounted access to 100 up-skilling training courses and networking events, and access grant and funding opportunities.
For further information www.in-comm-tmg.co.uk