Porvair Filtration Group is using its investment in a new Trumpf TruLaser 1030 fibre laser cutter to eliminate outsourcing and improve its in-house sheet metal profiling operations. Such is the speed of the new machine that estimates by the company suggest it will pay for itself inside the time originally expected.

“Until recently, we purchased subcontract profiled sheet metal parts, performing secondary operations at our New Milton facility in Hampshire to make them fit for purpose, which was inefficient,” reports production engineer Karl Goodman, who subsequently commenced a review of laser cutters available in the UK, visiting no less than seven potential suppliers. Trumpf stood out from the pack.

“First and foremost, Trumpf manufactures its laser unit based on the company’s own design, which we found very reassuring,” he says. “Our confidence levels in Trumpf technology, along with the service and support available in the UK, far outweighed the other options. Cutting trials were also highly successful.”

Today, the Trumpf TruLaser 1030 Fiber is in daily use producing filter components from exotic stainless steel materials that act as filter media. In some applications, Porvair uses filter media down to 1 µm rating.

“The stainless steel sheets are very expensive: a 1.5 x 1.2 m panel costs around £600 on average, so we want to avoid any scrap,” reports Goodman. “We’ve had no problems with the Trumpf laser and Trumpf Boost software; from drawing, to having a cut part in my hand can be as quick as 15 minutes. We’re currently running a spreadsheet so we can record what we’re saving. As things stand, we’re on track to outperform our financial justification.”

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