The latest machine to arrive at The Laser Cutting Co (TLCC) is a Trumpf TruLaser 5040 flat-bed fibre laser cutter that features EdgeLine Bevel, a Trumpf solution that allows users to bevel or countersink part edges automatically during the cutting process, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming secondary processes. According to TLCC, EdgeLine Bevel will represent a “strong addition to its existing customer offering”.

The new machine arrived at the end of February 2022, supporting the company’s ethos of investing in the latest laser technology every year and being the first to market. It is the second Trumpf model on site, where it joins a TruLaser Tube 7000 CO2 machine, installed in 2020.

“One of our older flat-bed laser cutting machines was a 6 kW model from a Trumpf competitor, which was proving slower than general market demand,” explains TLCC sales director Charlie Day. “The faster TruLaser 5040 has provided a lot more capacity and is generally a much better machine. Our lasers are key to delivering on our short lead-time promises without compromising on cut quality.”

EdgeLine Bevel automatically inserts chamfers up to 45° and countersinks of various sizes, eliminating the need for secondary processes. The benefit: faster, more efficient, more flexible and simpler processes with fewer errors.

Says Day: “We want EdgeLine Bevel because many of our customers request countersinking and weld preparations. Although we can provide this service manually, EdgeLine Bevel will prove to be much more efficient, accurate and productive. As a large proportion of our customer base is essentially fabrication, engineering and welding oriented, the ability to offer countersinks and bevels on all parts will provide us with an even stronger proposition.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

Bystronic is launching a new software solution for the sheet metal industry. BySoft Suite expands on the existing BySoft software products already used by most of Bystronic’s customers. With the latest software, customers can completely digitalise their business, from quote to delivery.

BySoft Suite is comprised of six software product families (Insight, Business, Shop Floor, CAD, CAM, Cell Control) that collectively enable customers to digitally monitor, manage and make decisions at each stage of their business process. The software suite allows better control and accelerated processes by providing immediate data in one place, presenting the ability to make changes when needed. This capability allows customers to adapt to ever-changing and unpredictable market challenges, and make business decisions with more comprehensive and centralised data.

BySoft’s allows any company in the sheet metal industry the opportunity to digitalise, regardless of size or current level of digitization. The technology offers a hybrid solution, combining cloud and on-premise software, making it affordable even for small and medium companies. The software can interoperate with third-party business management systems and machines, enabling complete vertical solutions using a single data source.

“Thanks to BySoft Suite, our customers can advance on their smart factory journey and now have the opportunity to digitalise their entire business, which gives them full control over what is happening and allows flexibility to adapt,” says Alberto Martínez, Bystronic’s chief digital officer. “We have a complete software suite that interoperates, so that customers have comprehensive data in one place. Customers who are using the software tell us they have decreased order-taking time, for example, from three hours to just minutes, along with improved accuracy.”
For further information www.bystronic.com

LVD is introducing Puma, a new cost-efficient fibre laser cutting machine designed to provide high-technology features and performance at a lower total cost of ownership. Offered with a 3, 6 or 12 kW laser in 3050 x 1525, 4065 x 2035 and 6160 x 2035 mm formats, LVD says that its automation-ready Puma provides the agility to handle a diversity of cutting applications.

LVD’s latest laser cutting machine addresses growing demand for versatile laser cutting equipment built to maximise the value of a user’s investment and lower cost per part. Puma operates as economically as possible with high-end features that optimise cutting performance and robust construction to ensure reliable operation. The welded steel, mono-frame construction provides stability to achieve quality cutting at high feed rates.

Notably, the Puma cutting head incorporates crash protection, motorised focus position adjustment and capacitive height sensing, as well as automated functions for sheet referencing, cutting gas selection, pressure control and nozzle cleaning. High machine dynamics enables productive cutting across a wide range of material types and thicknesses.

Puma’s shuttle table system allows one table to be loaded or unloaded while cutting on the other, keeping throughput at its peak. Table changeover takes just 35 seconds.

To maximise laser cutting output and processing efficiency, Puma can be equipped or retrofitted with any MOVit modular automation system, including: the Compact Tower (CT-L) for loading, unloading and material/parts storage; the Flexible Automation (FA-L) advanced load/unload system; the Tower Automation System (TAS) for single or double-tower storage; or the Warehouse Automation System (WAS), a customisable storage tower system.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

As the name suggests, Serious Stages Ltd is a manufacturer of festival stages, temporary buildings, towers, arches, sports ramps and bespoke structures for the entertainment industry – an industry all but decimated by the pandemic. Fortunately for the Wells-based business, it found a new market sector that has exceeded all expectations, trebled growth and increased manufacturing demand. To fulfil this exponential rise in demand, the manufacturer has invested in an UltraSharp plasma cutting machine from Kerf Developments.

Fabrication workshop manager Rob Watts says: “Before the pandemic, we were considering a laser or plasma machine, as we were subbing-out over £500,000 of laser cutting each year. The pandemic halted the decision process, but back in March 2021 the movie industry got back to production and we won a substantial order for the next Mission Impossible film. This gave us the confidence to move forward. We looked at several options and then an industry contact suggested we spoke to Kerf. As a company with a complete range of plasma, waterjet and oxy-fuel cutting machines, Kerf recommended its RUR2500 UltraSharp plasma cutting machine with a Lincoln Electric Fineline 170, 170 amp plasma cutting system.”

He adds: “We are delighted with our new Kerf machine. From day one, the sales engineers were knowledgeable and interested in our business and applications; it wasn’t just about the sale. This duty-of-care has been carried through every step of the process and now the machine is installed, the service is unparalleled. From a production standpoint, the machine will pay back in less than two years and it will save us upward of £750,000 in subcontracting costs. It provides design freedom and efficiency, and it reduces our turnaround times and creates a synergy between the design office and production.”
For further information www.kerfdevelopments.com