TW Metals, a supplier of high-performance metals with a global turnover of £710m, has invested in a new 10 kW Trumpf TruLaser 3060 Fiber for one of its UK facilities. The company describes the large 6 m bed laser cutter, which is the first of its type in the UK, as a “game changer” as it has eliminated the time/cost issues associated with using subcontract resources and is now fulfilling next-day delivery demands.

The market segment occupied by the speciality distribution business unit of TW Metals has particular focus on materials for critical and hazardous environments, often in sectors such as nuclear, petrochemical, oil and gas, medical and automotive (a separate business unit serves the aerospace industry).

Mike Street, vice president Europe – speciality distribution, says: “The provision of machined or first-stage components is becoming an increasingly common request. We had a plasma cutter at our Longbridge site for this purpose, but knew a laser cutter would be ideal for our corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant nickel alloys, which extend from thin-gauge sheet up to 30 mm thick.”

David Ellis, head of operations – Europe, takes up the story: “We looked at nine machines, ultimately shortlisting two, one of which was the 10 kW Trumpf TruLaser 3060 Fiber. During demonstrations of the two machines, the TruLaser stood out. Certain nickel alloys are notoriously difficult to cut, but in the trials, Trumpf simply programmed the parts on the day we arrived and cut them beautifully, without any subsequent tweaking of parameters. Also, the price of the Trumpf package was more competitive.”

Adds Street: “Although the TruLaser is not yet fully utilised we’re filling it much faster than we anticipated. We have a budget for the machine and we’ve managed to exceed that every month so far.”

For further information
www.trumpf.com

LVD showcased the benefits of process efficiency at BlechExpo 2021 in Stuttgart last month, demonstrating its Phoenix FL-3015 fibre laser cutting machine with new 20 kW power source. The Phoenix FL-3015 can process a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials in thicknesses up to 40 mm.

Notably, LVD says the machine cuts up to 2.5 times faster than a 10 kW fibre laser. The company adds that the Phoenix FL-3015 pierces and cuts thick materials at rates faster than most plasma cutting systems, and with straighter kerfs and the ability to cut holes half the thickness of the sheet.
Acceleration and accuracy are further supported by the machine’s rigid welded steel frame construction. An integrated control and drive system ensure high reproduction of programmed contours at fast processing speeds.

The 19” Touch-L control is user-friendly: LVD says that operators of all skill levels can interact easily with the Phoenix. Furthermore, the machine offers a number of options to advance performance, including a 10-station automatic nozzle changer, CADMAN-L programming software and MOVit modular automation, from the compact tower to full tower and warehouse systems (TAS and WAS). The 20 kW fibre laser source is available on Phoenix FL-3015, 4020 and 6020 models.

LVD also used BlechExpo to showcase its newly released CADMAN software v8.7, as well as updates for CADMAN-L (laser cutting) and CADMAN-P (punching). For example, CADMAN v8.7 is able to integrate foreign operations such as tapping, deburring and grinding, allowing users to control, monitor and log an order from raw material to finished part. The latest CADMAN software can also manage the complete sheet metal production process without the need for an ERP system.

For further information
www.lvdgroup.com

Precision sheet metal firm KMF has invested in two new laser profiling machines that will increase cutting speeds, reduce operating costs and allow a greater range of materials to be processed. KMF, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has ordered two Trumpf TruLaser 3030 (L95) new-generation machines. The fibre lasers join a full array of high-end Trumpf sheet metal processing equipment on site. Potentially, the new lasers, which are due for installation in the New Year, could improve average run times by up to 50% and result in reductions of over 60% in average running costs.

The £1.2m assets are replacing two existing older machines that comprised of an early-technology fibre model and a traditional CO2 laser, both of which have been operational in a 24/7 capacity since early 2012.

KMF’s commercial director Keith Nicholl says: “Faster machines means that we can continue offering a competitive solution to our customers at a time when resource costs are rising. As well as being faster, the machines are more comprehensive and more accurate, which allows us to build on our reputation for producing consistent quality products in high volumes. We’ve had a very positive first half of the year and we’re continuing to grow, so we need to invest in newer, better machinery to accommodate our customers and their ambitions.”

The new lasers also have more capacity to cut through heavier gauge and a larger range of sheet-based materials.

One of the existing lasers is a TruLaser 3030 (L41), which has a maximum cutting thickness of 20 mm in mild steel, 15 mm in stainless steel and 10 mm in aluminium. Both new lasers add 5 mm more scope on the steels and an additional 10 mm in aluminium. The new machines will also cut through 8 mm copper and brass.

For further information
www.kmf.co.uk

A UK supplier of specialist metal components has taken delivery of a new laser cutting machine that could deliver up to £1m of new sales. HV Wooding, which employs 90 staff at its manufacturing facility in Hythe, Kent, has invested more than £500,000 in a Trumpf TruLaser 3030 as it looks to take advantage of significant ‘electrification’ opportunities.

The company has doubled its laser capacity with this addition and the machine will immediately begin producing thin-gauge laminations and busbars for use in electric cars, lorries, buses and commercial vehicles, not to mention offering customers the ability to cut below 0.5 mm thick and to <50 µm tolerance. Installed last month, the machine provides 3 kW laser power, 170 m/min simultaneous axis speeds, axis acceleration of 14 m/s2 and a pallet change time of just 18.5 seconds. “Our existing laser was working 24 hours per day, so we needed an additional option to help us satisfy current demand and provide capacity to target new opportunities,” explains Paul Allen, sales director at HV Wooding. “Customers are changing their designs of rotors and stators to increase performance, and this investment gives us the ideal solution to offer quick turnaround prototypes without the cost of wire cutting. “The maximum sheet thicknesses we can cut on the new machine is 20 mm for mild steel, 15 mm for stainless steel/aluminium and 6 mm for copper and brass,” he continues. “Over £200,000 of orders have already been placed, with the potential to add another £800,000 between now and the end of 2022.” HV Wooding has enjoyed a strong 10 months, with turnover up £600,000 since the UK emerged from lockdown. The company has created 16 new jobs to help cope with demand. For further information www.hvwooding.co.uk

LVD is introducing the TL 8525 to its line of tube laser cutting machines. The new generation tube laser, designed from the ground up, comes equipped with a number of high-performance features to optimise tube cutting for even the most complex of applications. With a large 8500 mm infeed length, the TL 8525 can process tubes up to 250 mm round or square. Standard machine features include a 45° 3D tilt-axis cutting head for bevelling, six-position front loader, and a wide X-axis cutting head range of 1190 mm to maximise material usage.

The TL 8525 is built for high productivity. Notably, a substantial 400 mm Z axis permits the cutting of larger profiles, while a completely new welded steel structure provides high rigidity and dynamics. A pre-mounted chuck and steady rest facilitate quick and easy machine installation and start-up.

LVD’s TL 8525 maintains the compact footprint of other TL models and offers the advantage of accessibility on all sides of the machine. As loading and unloading is handled on one side, the machine can fit in a small space or against a wall.

To provide versatility for the widest range of use to cut round, square, rectangle or other profiles, no matter the complexity, LVD says that the TL 8525 is equipped with key features typically offered as options on comparable tube laser cutting machines.

For instance, a 45° 3D tilt cutting head is standard. This multi-axis cutting head delivers: high-precision bevel cutting in round, square, rectangular and irregular-shaped tubes; cuts complex profiles and channels; and can be used for weld preparation cuts in thick-walled tubes.

For further information
www.lvdgroup.com