The addition of a 2D system with a flatbed laser will enable a subcontract fabricator to undertake the machining of tube, profiles and box sections - for which demand in the UK is increasing.

From its origins as the provider of laser cutting services to other companies in the WEC Group, Laser Engineering has emerged as a major player in the laser- subcontracting field. Its impressive growth has been secured by continued investment in the latest technology but the company's latest acquisition will do more than simply increase capacity. Laser Engineering has just ordered a Trumatic L3050 flatbed laser machine from Trumpf with its sights firmly set on adding tube and box section cutting to its portfolio of services.

The machine is equipped with a Rotalas system, consisting of a NC rotary axis fixed to the machine frame for machining pipes and profiles.

A flexible support system guarantees that a wide variety of tube is guided securely.

The WEC Group now comprises four separate and complementary divisions - WEC providing camera-mounting solutions, welding engineering, architectural fabricator M-TEC and Laser Engineering.

It employs around 200 people.

The divisions serve all manufacturing industries from automotive, construction and transport through to pharmaceutical and catering, covering the full spectrum of heavy to light fabrication work.

Laser Engineering already has three Trumpf flatbed laser machines with 4, 5 and 6kW power with a bed size up to 4m x 2m.

They allow the processing of aluminium, mild and stainless steel from 0.5mm to 25mm.

Despite being a long term Trumpf customer however, Laser Engineering did not automatically 'plump' for another Trumatic.

The company wanted to assess thoroughly all other options to ensure it had the best machine for its needs in relation to both cost and performance.

In the final analysis however it was the Trumpf L3050 that met all Laser Engineering's purchasing criteria.

This latest addition to its range will have the same capacity as the existing Trumpf flatbeds but will be equipped with a series of optional features to increase its capability.

The addition of RotoLas in particular will enable Laser Engineering to undertake the machining of tube, profiles and box sections.

The demand for this type of work is indeed on the ascendancy and the company wanted to ensure that it was able to anticipate its customers' needs in this regard.

'We operate very tight lead times and needed the L3050 to guarantee fast turn round of our increasing workload,' explained general manager Wayne Wild.

'For us the L3050 offered the quality we needed at a price and with running costs that would prove most economical over a five year period.' Laser Engineering's new L3050 is due for installation at the company's factory in Darwen, Lancashire, UK, during the summer.

'Its extra capacity will enhance our Gold Same Day and Silver Next Day services,' Wild concluded.