Looking for a new laser cutting supplier?

Aug 042011

Are you looking for a new laser cutting supplier?

During the current economic climate most organisations are looking for the most cost effective laser cutting solution, however, there are other factors that you should consider when selecting a supplier:

Delivery: Can the supplier deliver the goods when you require them? It is all very well going for the cheapest quote but check that the laser cutting supplier has the capacity to deliver on time.

Location: Consider whether your engineers or you will need to visit the new supplier to outline any special requirements. Can this be done conveniently if your new supplier is at the other end of the country?

Quality Systems: Most established laser cutting companies will be ISO registered to ensure that they have robust processes in place for job workflow. Check that your new supplier is ISO approved or at the very least has a number of quality controls in place.

Offloading: If you are free issuing goods for 5 axis laser cutting does the new laser cutting supplier have the capacity to offload and store parts for you?

CAD expertise: Many laser cutting suppliers do not have the ability to manipulate CAD and this can be a major drawback for certain aspects of laser cutting. Furthermore, check that your CAD systems are compatible with your new supplier to avoid any risk of file corruption.

Following these simple guidelines should help you when you are considering your options for the selection of a new laser cutting sub-contractor.

Laser Cutting UK

Jan 242012

Laser cutting UK

The UK has many laser cutting subcontractors to choose from which means that there is lots of healthy competition for laser cutting customers in the UK.

The majority of laser cutting companies in the UK tend to be based around the Midlands and the North, the obvious reason for this is that the laser cutting business in the UK centred itself around the exisiting industrial areas. Within the midands area espescially many laser cutting companies depended on the automotive industry for a large proportion of their business. However, as the scope of laser cutting has changed the sector finds itself serving many more markets than ten years ago.

Laser cutting in the UK now supplies a very wide range of industries including the architectural, aerospace and shopfitting sectors. Engineers from these sectors have come to rely on laser cutters in the UK as a cost effective method of obtaining cut metal at very short notice. This has in turn increased their competitiveness and cash flow as they are able to produce goods for their customers quickly without holding high levels of stock.

The UK laser cutting market is made up of many sub-contractors who operate anything from one laser to ten lasers. Many sub-contractors such as gflaser offer additional services such as folding and CNC machining providing a turn-key solution to many business sectors.

Laser cutting mild steel

Jan 202012

Laser cutting of mild steel

Cutting mild steel with a laser is one of the most popular methods to produce profiled parts quickly and easily.

The most typical thickness of steel that is cut with a laser is between 1mm and 20mm thick and is used in a wide variety of applications from automotive to shop-fitting. Most laser cutting companies will stock the most common mild steel grades such as HR4 or CR4 thus providing a quick turnaround for laser cut parts.

Mild steel is cut using oxygen as an assist gas which means that the oxygen blasts out the molten material which is created by the power of the laser. It is also possible to cut thinner grades of mild steel using compressed air which again is used at high pressure to blow away the molten material.

The settings on modern laser cutting machines mean that mild steel can be cut burr free with minimal intervention by the laser operator and some machines such as the Trumpf 3030, used by leading laser cutting sub-contractor gf laser, also have a high speed cutting head which cuts thin gauge mild steel faster than older lasers.

Laser cutting mild steel blanks are often formed afterwards using a press brake which puts simple folds or bends into a part but does not require special tooling. Products such as enclosures, shop fittings and signs are regularly laser cut and folded providing an economical attractive product which also has good properties for painting and powder coating.

If you would like a quotation for laser cutting mild steel please contact gf laser on 0121 557 2294.

What are laser cutting services

Jan 202012

What are laser cutting services?

When the concept of laser power was originally invented it was described as a solution looking for a problem. Over the years laser sources have been used in a variety of solutions from medical devices to heavy engineering.

The most common use of laser cutting services in the UK is for cutting metals such as mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Many sub-contract companies operate in the UK such as gf laser (www.gflaser.co.uk) who supply large and small companies with laser cutting services. Almost any design can be cut with a laser and usually if it can be drawn it can be laser cut.

Typically most sub-contract laser cutting services supply the material and laser cutting to the customer providing a complete solution. One of the main benefits of laser cutting over, for example, traditional tooling or machining is the speed that laser cutting services are provided. Many orders are turned round next or even on the same day with many laser cutting sub-contractors offering 24 hour capacity 7 days per week.

In addition, laser cutting services are a very low cost alternative to tooling as there are minimal set up charges and design changes can be implemented in seconds.

The area of 5 axis or 3d laser cutting is a growing area in general manufacturing and construction, the ability to cut a formed part such as a pressing, spinning or tube increases the design flexibility as well as reducing the high capital costs associated with trim tools.

There are numerous companies providing laser cutting services in the UK, before you decide take a look at our guide to choosing a laser cutting supplier.

Laser Cutting Services

Jan 182012

Laser cutting services

If you are looking for laser cutting services then there are a number of things to consider prior to placing an order with a laser sub-contractor:

Prices

For the majority of laser cutting services price is the number one issue along with delivery. In order to gain the most competitive price laser cutting companies such as gf laser use specialist software to nest the parts prior to providing a quotation. This means that they are able to provide the best material usage which will in turn give the customer the best price.

Delivery

You may find the best price for your laser cutting but will you get the delivery you require? Many laser cutting services will promise you parts by a date but then fail to deliver which may leave you at the mercy of your customer! By then it is usually to late to find an alternative supplier. Ask your supplier to keep you regularly informed on how the job is progressing, also make sure you call a few days before the part is due just to make sure that the part is scheduled to be cut.

Quality of laser cutting services

So, you get the right price, the right delivery and then the parts arrive and a hole is in the wrong place or the parts are so burred they can’t be used! One way to make sure that you are getting the part you require is to sign off any drawings or CAD files before they enter into the cutting process. Alternatively, ask for a sample part before the full production run just to make sure the part meets tolerances and cut quality.

If your current supplier of laser cutting services isn’t giving you the service you require or perhaps you are new to the area of laser cutting why not try calling gf laser today on 0121 557 2294. They provide competitive laser cutting services, on-time delivery and are approved to the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard.

Laser Cutting Presentation

Dec 082011

For more information regarding gf laser please download our company presentation.

GF LASER 2011 PRESENTATION

Laser cut steel

Dec 082011

Laser cut steel

Are you looking for a supplier of laser cut steel? If you are then contact gf laser who offer a competitive, quick turnaround, laser cutting service. You can contact a member of their sales team today on 0121 557 2294, alternatively email pdf files, DXF files or sketches to sales@gflaser.co.uk for a prompt reply.

The team at gf laser have experience in cutting all types of steel and are happy to advise on your project prior to submitting a quotation. Operating from modern premises gf laser are able to process regular high volume work as well as one-off pieces.

Furthermore, the company has systems which are accredited to ISO 9001:2008 including a company wide software system that tracks job progress from quotation through to delivery.

If you are looking for laser cutting combined with folding or machinng then gf laser can also help you with a press brake facility and cnc machining.

Located in the Midlands at the heart of the UK’s motorway network the company has it’s own delivery vehicles as well as a retained haulier for larger loads.

To find out more about gf laser visit our web site www.gflaser.co.uk or simply call our sales team on 0121 557 2294.

Laser Cutting Services

Dec 082011

Laser Cutting Services

If you are looking for laser cutting services then contact GF Laser today with your requirements, enquiries can be emailed to sales@gflaser.co.uk or faxed to 0121 557 5301. Alternatively simply call 0121 557 2294 to discuss your laser cutting project.

Six reasons to use GF Laser:

1. We aim to turn around quotations on the same day of enquiry.

2. We operate competitive pricing structures even for quick turnaround laser cutting.

3. GF Laser offer additional services such as press break and machining.

4. You can make use of our collection and delivery service.

5. We currently have capacity for one-offs and high volume production.

6. The systems at our company are ISO 9001:2008 accredited.

GF Laser are based in the midlands close to all the major motorway networks so are able to offer next day shipping to the majority of the UK and Ireland.

gf laser - Operating from modern premises in the UK

What is “Lights Out” Laser Cutting?

Dec 082011

“Lights out” laser cutting – What is it?

Many customers of laser cutting companies may have heard of lights out laser cutting. To the uninitiated this means cutting on an unattended basis, usually overnight, in order to reduce costs.

The benefits to laser cutting companies and their customers is that companies working on a lights out basis are able to offer a more competitive service as they do not have the overheads of personnel running the machine.

However, running on a lights out basis is not always that straightforward, some laser cutting work is not suitable for this type of production because cut quality may need to be monitored on a regular basis. Furthermore, there is a danger that if the laser is not programmed correctly it will result in a collision which could damage the laser head and scrap the parts.

Perhaps one of the most impressive laser cutting systems that are capable of lights out production are those that have automated sheet feeders. These systems can effectively run for days as they are able to select the different material for jobs, load the right programme and cut the parts, this is ideal for high volume work. The only drawback to these systems is the high capital cost investment required with some systems costing around one million pounds.

Laser cutting in an uncertain economy

Dec 072011

Laser cutting in an uncertain economy

The current economic backdrop throughout the world is having a large impact on manufacturing in the UK. However, this does bring opportunities to look at cost savings in manufacturing processes.

Many organisations have replaced existing tooling or milling processes with laser cutting in order to reduce manufacturing costs by as much as 30%. Some of the reasons to consider laser cutting are:

1. The laser cutting process is far quicker than traditional tooled, wired or machined parts. This means the parts can be produced at low cost even when volumes are high.

2. Many laser cutting subcontractors such as gf laser enjoy improved purchasing power of raw materials. This means that the cost savings can be passed on to customers and the customer also benefits from receiving a fully outsourced solution.

3. Most laser cutting companies utilise cnc laser machines where all programming is undertaken off line. The software optimises the cutting sequence and material usage so that the component is produced in the most economical way, again these cost savings of laser cutting are passed on to the customer.

4. Laser cutting is a non-contact process which means that it is suitable for cutting parts where surface finish is critical. Often, tooling or milling can lead to part degradation which can result in additional cleaning processes being required, these additional processes cost time and money.

5. Most laser cutting companies work on a 3-4 day lead time, this means that customers do not need to hold high levels of stock as parts can be sourced very quickly. Therefore, manufacturers can improve their own cash flow as they do not have to carry large amounts of stock.

Many companies have saved large amounts of money by switching to a laser cutting process. If you would like to obtain a free laser cutting quotation from one of the UK’s leading laser cutting companies call 0121 557 2294 or submit your requirements via the gf laser website www.gflaser.co.uk

If you have an existing laser cutting supplier but are looking to change why not take a look at our laser cutting supplier checklist.

Laser Cut and Folding

Dec 072011

Laser Cut and Folding

Laser cut and folding using a press break is one of the most popular forms of manufacturing in the UK for a range of sectors from automotive to retail display components. The service has become more popular over the past few years as it alleviates the need to incur bespoke tooling costs as the majority of work is carried out using standard tools.

GF Laser are able to provide a press break service using precision Amada machinery:

100 ton x 3000mm capacity

30 years experience in press braking

Special tooling available as requested

Small and large quantities supplied

Quick turnaround

Free samples ( Subject to Terms & Conditions)

For a free laser and fold quotation please call 0121 557 2294 or email your requirements to sales@gflaser.co.uk

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