FOCUS ON LASER CUTTING
The BLM ELECT 80 electric tube bender in operation at Bell Steel Fabrications. The machine features multiple-stack tooling for rapid set-ups and for achieving multi- and variable-radius, right- and left-hand bends in a single cycle. Compound bends and tight bends with a radius of less than the diameter of the tube can also be made.
Laser cutting in action on the BLM LS7. father became interested in an ELECT 80 electric tube bender and, after visiting an existing user in the north of England, decided to place an order with BLM.
“ After researching the market, it was clear the machine was the most versatile tubebender available. Ron and I confirmed our opinion during a trip to BLM’ s Italian factory and BLM Group UK installed the machine shortly afterwards, in September 2010,” said Matthew Bell.
“ We have enjoyed excellent service and support from the UK subsidiary over the years and were inclined to return to them when the time came to replace our flat-bed laser profiler. We looked at three potential machine suppliers, but felt the BLM offered the best price and quality. So, we opted for one of its LS7 3015 models, which was installed in March 2026.”
Fibre lasers have largely taken over from CO₂ lasers for cutting sheet metal, as they are less costly to run and maintain. They are also more compact, with fewer moving parts and no mirrors requiring regular alignment.
“ They waste far less energy during beam delivery and convert more of their output into usable laser power. Moreover, gas usage is lower with a fibre laser, as it needs only an assist gas( either nitrogen or oxygen) whereas a CO₂ model also uses lasing and purge gasses. Matthew Bell estimates that his company will save £ 20,000 per year in electricity and gas costs,” BLM told ISMR.
The fibre laser at BSF processes a vast range of components from mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium, many of which are also bent on a CNC press brake. They include brackets, flanges and silencer baffles for classic car exhausts as well as other vintage vehicle fittings such as fuel tanks; radiators; clutches; gearboxes and chassis parts. Structural steelwork; architectural metalwork; mounting platforms for industrial machinery; bicycle racks; truck ladders and even fabrications that form part of draught beer dispensing units are also cut on the laser. Coded welders among the company’ s 21 employees provide TIG, MIG, MMA and fusion welding services across the full range of materials processed.
Fly Cut and Active Piercing
A variety of components cut on the LS7, destined for inclusion in various products manufactured by Bell Steel Fabrications.
Bell Steel Fabrications prides itself on being a solutions provider and partner, not just a subcontractor. Its management has always regarded value for money for its customers as a core principle. It therefore looks to suggest design changes where appropriate to lower production costs and, once a project is agreed, to program jobs to be completed as costeffectively as possible.
Matthew Bell highlighted a key feature of the BLM LS7 that allows very rapid and economical laser cutting of multiple repetitive
ISMR July / August 2026 | ismr. net | 21