FOCUS ON LASER CUTTING
Automated multi-sheet processing – using different materials and thicknesses – is one of the features of the TruLaser 3060 fiber .
UK . TRUMPF UK completed COVID-safe installation , commissioning and training before Christmas 2020 .
“ We received our first order for the machine almost immediately and began production work at the start of January 2021 ,” said David Ellis . “ The operators love it ; the TruTops nesting software is so easy to use and gives great sheet utilisation for customers .”
To provide an indication of capability , the 10kW TRUMPF TruLaser 3060 fiber can process stainless steel up to 30mm thick . Features include the proprietary Highspeed Eco function which , said TRUMPF , is helping users such as TW Metals to consume up to 70 % less gas while simultaneously achieving 100 % higher productivity and feed rates .
New capabilities
A laser cutter would be ideal for our corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant nickel alloys , which extend from thin gauge sheet up to 30mm thick
repertoire of services was a natural step for this progressive-thinking company , which is both ISO9001- and AS9100-accredited .
“ The provision of machined or first-stage components is becoming an increasingly common request . We had a plasma cutter for this purpose but knew that a laser cutter would be ideal for our corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant nickel alloys , which extend from thin gauge sheet up to 30mm thick . It would also help us to introduce other product ranges , such as thin gauge sheets in stainless steel and aluminium ,” explained Mike Street .
David Ellis , Head of Operations - Europe , added : “ We looked at nine machines , ultimately shortlisting two , one of which was the 10kW TRUMPF TruLaser 3060 fiber . During demonstrations of the two machines , the TruLaser stood out . Certain nickel alloys are notoriously difficult to cut . However , in the trials , TRUMPF simply programmed the parts on the day we arrived and cut them beautifully , without any subsequent tweaking of parameters . The price of the TRUMPF package was also more competitive .”
Benefits in focus
Selecting the 6m bed option for the TruLaser 3060 fiber provides TW Metals with a market advantage as it can handle much larger raw material . In addition , the company confirmed that it can obtain preferential pricing from the mills as it has less processing to undertake . The large bed also means that TW Metals can accommodate four or five large offcuts simultaneously for overnight cutting , should the need arise .
The TRUMPF TruLaser 3060 fiber arrived in December 2020 – ahead of schedule – and is now busy cutting at the company ’ s Longbridge , West Midlands site in the
“ Although the TruLaser is not yet fully utilised , we ’ re filling it much faster than we anticipated ,” explained Mike Street . “ We have a budget for the machine and have managed to exceed that every month so far . Whereas our previous plasma machine would just cut blocks , the TruLaser has added new dimensions in terms of design and intricate profiling that the plasma was unable to offer , not to mention the dramatically faster cutting speed .”
TW Metals delivers on a next-day basis , so reaction time is key to meeting the service demands of customers .
“ The TruLaser 3060 fiber is a gamechanger for our customer service because we previously had to use a subcontractor whenever a request came in for laser-cut parts ,” concluded David Ellis . “ These parts were sometimes taking weeks to arrive and , because we were a small customer to the subcontractor , we were never top of its priority list . The arrival of the TRUMPF machine has changed all that .” n
The TruLaser 3060 fiber is already cutting parts at the Longbridge , West Midlands , site of TW Metals .
52 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR July / August 2021