Gilberts installs laser cutter for metal parts
Gilberts has updated the equipment at its Blackpool factory with the installation of a laser cutter to replace a traditional CNC punch press for processing 2-dimensional components for ventilation grilles, louvres and diffusers. The Platino 200 Lpt21530 laser cutter is more than twice as fast as the former CNC machine, increasing capacity capability.
Technical director Roy Jones says, ‘The laser cutter gives numerous advantages It delivers enhanced precision, to within ±1 mm. It enables greater complexity of details than we could achieve by our previous method (stamping out aluminium and steel parts using the CNC punch press). It is much faster, especially on long-profiles lines, and provides better component nesting, which reduces material wastage significantly.’
Managing director Jonathan Haslam adds, ‘We have always been unique in our ability to offer a bespoke service, completely in house from concept through design and testing to manufacturer. The laser cutter adds another benefit to that unrivalled customer experience.’