Kings Lynn-based Optima Metal Services has expanded its offer with a £3m investment in a dedicated facility to house a LaserTube LT8 3D tube laser from BLM Group.

Says Optima’s operations manager Andy Knowles: “The BLM LaserTube was commissioned in January with the expectation that it will generate 10% of the company’s turnover in its first year. Part of our work now is to explain to customers exactly what this machine can do.”
BLM’s LaserTube LT8 can cut tube up to 240 mm diameter (virtually any tube profile can be processed) and up to 12.5 m
in length. The maximum unload length is 8.5 m, while the maximum tube weight that can be profiled is 40 kg/m. In addition, the machine can be specified with either a 3.5 kW CO2, or 3 or 4 kW fibre laser source, delivered through a 3D tilt cutting head.
Along with the mechanical specification, it was BLM’s use of software to enhance the manufacturing process that was key in helping Optima make the final investment decision.
“BLM Artube software is excellent and extremely flexible,” says laser tube manager Clyde Stratton. “We particularly like the way we can import a SolidWorks model and see it separated it into individual parts for production, on the fly. This saves lots of time and effort and, again, adds value for customers.”
The versatility or Artube allows the user to quickly add, edit or remove features from an imported drawing, while it also offers suggestions for jointing techniques.
“Our view is that if we are going to invest, we will not cut corners and definitely won’t settle for second best; it simply has to be right for us and our customers,” concludes Knowles.
For further information www.blmgroup.com