Product category:
CNC laser cutting and profiling machines
News Release from: Trumpf | Subject: CNC laser profiling
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 July 2007
Automated CNC laser profiling releases
skills
A subcontract sheet metal working company raised its turnover 40% in 12 months and saught a CNC laser cutting and profiling cell to raise capacity and redeploy skilled labour.
Subcontract and sheet metal fabrication company, Stevens Rowsell, had increased its turnover by 40% compared with 2006 Employing 30, the company had to dramatically increase its laser cutting capacity to match demand and more effectively service its core customer base with high levels of on-time delivery
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 4 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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After looking at what was available on the laser metal cutting market, Stevens Rowsell ordered an automated CNC laser cutting cell.
Included in the cell is Trumpf TruLaser 3030 CNC laser profiling centre equipped with a 'LiftMaster' sheet metal store.
The cell will be installed during July 2007.
Further reading
CNC laser cutter/profiler also welds in 2D/3D
Trumpf introduced at EuroBLECH the largest of its CNC 2D/3D laser cutting, profiling and welding machines with an X-axis travel of 4000mm, Y-axis of 1500mm and Z-axis of 750mm.
CNC laser profiling centre is automated
Supplying sheet metal components to the retail/point-of-sale industry looked like expanding exponentially, so a fabricated has added an automated CNC laser profiling centre to expand capacity.
CNC laser profiling system works 'lights out'
Sheet metal working subcontractor has added a fifth CNC laser profiling machine with better cutting speeds and sheet loading systems and providing extra flexibility.
Not only will it raise the company's cutting capability and capacity significantly it will also release skilled labour for work other company areas.
Managing director of Stevens Rowsell, Stuart Small, explained: "We were one of the first companies in the UK back in 1993 to acquire a Trumpf laser cutter - a 2503E LaserCat.
This was followed up in 1999 with the introduction of the original L3030s model.
He continued: "Although the L3030s is still going strong and is serving us well, we needed to further strengthen our technological capabilities and increase our cutting capacity to ensure we maintain development and growth of our sales and net profit position.
Small added: "As a sheet metal fabrication shop we have been historically biased towards using Trumpf machinery based on their quality, precision and working lifespan.
We currently possess their CNC machines at every core operation centre right through the business.
However, brand loyalty counted for very little when we explored the laser market as we had to make sure we were selecting the correct plant for our manufacturing needs and for delivering our medium term operation strategy - and if that had meant purchasing from an alternative supplier then that's what I would have done".
Stevens Rowsell's engineering manager, Hugh Ross, had led a comprehensive study of the laser market to seek out the most suitable laser and material handling facility.
He reported: "Trumpf offered the best combination of cut quality and speed in comparison to their immediate rivals utilising known and proven laser technology and that is essentially why I selected the facility even though it was by no means the cheapest.
Small said: "By our calculations, buying this laser cell and using it intelligently will enable us to potentially quadruple our capacity." However, Small added that the laser speeds and cycle time savings were not the real deciders: "Our real concern was in the efficiency of loading sheet and the subsequent unloading and depositing of finished parts and waste material - that's where the true time savings exist and this is why we've invested a considerable sum in the Trumpf laser machine and LiftMaster store." Small said that the TruTops Laser software was also a 'defining factor': "TruTops will provide automatic nesting against our production schedule.
This will increase our throughput and offer better material utilisation." The new TruLaser 3030 is being installed at the subcontractor's facility in East Sussex, UK.
Stevens Rowsell's factory is getting a large extension to accommodate the LiftMaster store and change table.
"We are investing around GBP 1 million in the business this year," concluded Small, "Which makes us one of the most progressive subcontract sheet metal fabrication companies in the South of England.
A structured plant investment programme coupled with our close attention to customer service, project management and staff training improves the total service we offer and sets us apart from our competitors and will continue to do so long into the future." * About Stevens Rowsell - Stevens Rowsell has created an enviable position for itself in that every one of its top 20 customers are involved in a different market sector, thus considerably reducing the risks arising from any industry-specific downturn.
For example, the company's top three customers are involved in road sweeping, entrance controls and cable management systems respectively.
Many of Stevens Rowsell's customers are based within a 160km (100 miles) radius of its headquarters at St Leonard's-on-Sea near Hastings.
It makes it easier to visit them frequently and give added value to customer satisfaction. Request a free brochure from Trumpf ...
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