Toolform Case study:
Laser and Sheet Processes Group

Assessment of Laser Cutting Equipment

Formed steel components (Photo courtesy BW Industries Ltd)

The Toolform programme, joint funded by the DTI, Yorkshire Forward and Objective 1, has assisted in the assessment of laser cutting equipment at a Yorkshire based metal forming company.

BW Industries, located in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, is a leading provider of formed metal sections and cold rolled steel components for use in construction and engineering applications.

Toolform is able to fund large or small projects to assist companies involved in any aspect of metal forming and forging and so has particular relevance to enterprises producing final components, such as BW Industries. Work was undertaken by TWI's Laser & Sheet Processes Group to assess the quality and usefulness of a Prima Laser Cutter, used by BW Industries for cutting bespoke components to order.

The Laser cutting equipment at BW Industries comprises a Prima Rapido five-axis laser cutting unit based on a 3kW CO ₂ laser. Currently there is plenty of scope for performing two dimensional cutting on flat surfaces, however it is also possible to perform off-line programming for multi-dimensional cutting and cutting on curved and angled surfaces.

Examples of components machined using Prima Laser Cutter (Photo courtesy of BW Industries)

Laser welding is another capability of this equipment, which will be particularly advantageous in capturing new component manufacture and increasing orders, thereby increasing sales. In areas such as these, companies would be able to enhance business opportunities by diversifying the product range and by taking on new product lines.

TWI was able to advise BW Industries with suggestions for best practice in laser cutting and welding. Based on the wide body of experience gained in this technology area, TWI is suitably placed to provide service, advice and expertise to companies who are seeking to enhance any aspect of their business by taking on laser cutting, welding and surfacing.

For further information on Lasers and Laser Materials Processing, please see www.twi.co.uk/lasers or email us on lasers@twi.co.uk.

This support, provided to BW Industries Ltd, was made possible through the Toolform Strand of the Advanced Metals Technology Initiative (AMTI) funded by the DTI, Yorkshire Forward and the European Union through the South Yorkshire Objective 1 programme. The AMTI project is managed by NAMTEC, the National Metals Technology Centre.

For more information on the Toolform programme, please contact: Eliana Fu (email eliana.fu@twi.co.uk.