FEATURE ON PROFILING

Investment proves key to growth and diversification

Milltek Sport has, for the past 40 years, being at the forefront of the design and manufacture of aftermarket performance exhaust systems, but with one eye on the future it has recently created a £3m Advanced Manufacturing Centre, adjacent to its Derby headquarters. At the heart of this investment are three machines from BLM Group that incorporate the very latest in fibre laser, robotics and bending technology.

While Milltek Sport’s core products will remain in demand for many years to come, the rise of electric vehicles influenced the company’s decision to invest, a move that is allowing it to appeal to new markets, such as heat shield manufacture for EVs. The three machines from BLM Groupinclude a BLM LC5 combination flat sheet and tube laser cutting system, and the BLM LT Free Hi-Flex five-axis, twin-robot, fibre laser cutting cell.

BLM Group’s LC5 integrates separatemodules for tube and flat sheet processing to enable a switch from tube processing to flat sheet instantly, without any need to reconfigure the machine. Milltek chose the 4kW (12kW optional) fibre laser for its machine, a choice that provides the capability to cut stainless steel up to 15mm thick. Adding to this versatility is the electric sheet pallet change system with dual shelves for sheet and tube.

Similarly, the BLM LT Free Hi-Flex five-axis robot cell features twin robot arms that can be operated individually, with a divider allowing one part to be cut by the 2kW fibre laser, while another is being set-up.Or, if the part demands it both robots can work in tandem.

Steve Pound, managing director of Milltek Sport, states: “We are seeing efficiency improve dramatically; up to 40% gains on some components.”
For further information www.blmgroup.com

Bodor unveils scanning laser cutting technology

Bodor Laser showcasedits latest laser cutting solutions, including the company’s new scanning cutting feature, at the Global Industrie trade show in Lyon last month. On the stand was a P3 12kW sheet fibre laser cutting machine and a T230A 3kW fibre laser tube cutter. The company presented live demonstrations of its new scanning laser cutting, a new technical innovation applied to the P3 12kW model. Bodor machines are available in the UK from World Machinery.

Bodor scanning laser cutting technology tackles long-existing pain points in the metal fabrication and laser cutting industry, such as poor processing efficiency of non-ferrous metal, damage to the beam from the highly reflective material batch process, and limited output power of laser cutting equipment.

With an optical system device, optical path spatial programming technology and patented process algorithm, scanning cutting enables a significant increase in cutting material thickness with the same machine power band,while also delivering a substantial enhancement in cutting speed.

The secret behind Bodor scanning cutting lies in dynamic spot cutting, with the spot travelling 30 m for every 1 m of cut, which significantly increases the efficiency of the laser energy absorbed by the material being processed in contrast to static spot cutting.

Amelie Yu, regional sales manager (France) at Bodor Laser, says: “Compared with conventional laser cutting machines, the same power laser scanning cutting machine achieves a cutting thickness increase of 100% and cutting speed of 180%. Scanning cutting as a new technical feature makes Bodor’s laser cutting solutions a real game-changer in processing thick and highly reflective materials at fast speeds with minimised costs.”
For further information www.worldmc.co.uk

Midtherm lasers set for growth after £1.2m investment

A specialist subcontract laser cutting and forming specialist is reaping the operational and environmental benefits of a £1.2m machine investment. Midtherm Laser, which employs 45 people at its factory in Dudley, has increased its capacity and speed of processing thanks to the installation of a new Bystronic Bystar Fiber 12kW laser with part automation.

One of the largest purchases in its 23-year history introduces the next level of power in fibre laser cutting. It will help the company deliver high cutting dynamics and thin to thick cutting capabilities to a customer base that spans aerospace, automotive and decorative work, to food processing, agricultural and conveyors.

The machine has also made a massive difference to the firm’s environmental performance, with the Bystronic model replacing two older CO2 machines and delivering a 50% energy saving, the equivalent of powering 2100 average homes every month.

“Our expertise in laser cutting and metal forming is respected throughout our sector and has led to us increasing sales by a further 6% last year, a great achievement considering the volatility of the market,” explains Mark Hannon, director of Midtherm Laser.“The 12 kW Bystar Fiber is a class-leading machine that can cut from 0.5 to 30mm in mild steel, aluminium and a host of other materials. It gives us more capacity to target new opportunities and, importantly, means three quarters of our machines are now fibre technology instead of gas.”

He adds: “With this in mind, and when you consider we’ve also invested in LED lighting, sensor switches, and electric vehicles and charging for our staff on the road, it’s not difficult to see how we have managed to cut our energy usage in half since 2018.”
For further information www.midthermlaser.co.uk

SM Thompson invests further in laser technology

Steel plate processor SM Thompson has invested in a new 22kW fibre laser cutting machine that will boost efficiency and drive the firm’s ambitions forward.The Teesside-based business has invested in a state-of-the-art laser cutting machine that will not only support more environmentally friendly ways of working but enable larger client orders and faster process.

Managing director Harvey Thompson says: “Our continued investment in new machinery enables us to offer a range of services to our customers. By enhancing the range and capabilities of our machinery, we can respond readily to market changes.It’s always been our ethos to invest in the latest technology to keep us at the top of the game. This machine continues that strategy.”

Beyond its high cut quality, the laser can offer etching suitable for bend lines and profile identification, which supports larger orders and identifying parts quickly, saving valuable time and money. The high-end fibre laser provides precise technology and a stable cutting process up to the highest laser power.

Harvey adds: “When we purchased a 12kW machine a little over a year ago, I was so impressed by its precision and efficiency that I knew straight away this was the future of large quantity orders. Six months later, our order was in for our new 22kW laser.”

As a steel plate specialist, the SM Thompson team cuts steel from 1 to 350mm thick using a range of laser, plasma and flame cutting machinery. The company also presses, rolls and chamfers material in a variety of shapes and sizes, working with mild and stainless steel, as well as aluminium, brass, copper and titanium.
For further informationwww.smthompson.co.uk

Ficep Kronos helps John W Laycock diversify

Ficep UK has completed the installation of a Kronos system at John W Laycock, which will help the business build on its success and expand its offering as a steel service provider.
Established in 1740, John W Laycock provides steel services to businesses and domestic customers across the UK, including cutting, drilling and fabrication. At the end of 2021, the business made the decision to add to its services and offer in-house profiling services, having outsourced profiling services in the past.

Waiting for thermally cut profiles to arrive had become an obstacle and the business wanted to regain control and improve lead time, cost and quality for its customers. The business contacted Ficep, which recommended the Kronos due to the production benefits it would bring, its footprint and its flexibility.

Upon delivery, the machine was lowered 6 m through an opening into the basement of John W Laycock’s new two-storey premises in Keighley, West Yorkshire, which the business acquired specifically for this project at the end of 2021. The machine was officially commissioned and signed off in July 2022.

The Kronos heavy-duty gantry-style thermal cutting system integrates all cutting, drilling and marking processes into a single operation to reduce material handling cost. It will enable John W Laycock to better service its customers and offer competitive lead times on any quantity, from single pieces to multiples, one offs and repeat customers.

Mark Sugden, fifth generation John W Laycock managing director, says: “We’re keen to grow on our successful foundation by offering this new service. It was clear from the start that Ficep understood our market position and future opportunity for the growth of our business, and they had an immediate recommendation for the machine we needed.”
For further information www.ficep.co.uk