Recent 11,000 Square Feet Expansion
New Trumpf 3030 Fibre Laser
Increased Capacity!

Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In November

This photo shows 2.5mm thick cr4 mild steel which has been laser cut on our machine with the largest bed size, 4000 x 2000mm, at our main site. By laser cutting these parts with nitrogen gas we are able to supply them without the need to remove the oxide layer, which would be created on the cut edge when using oxygen gas, before any painting/coating of these parts. As these parts, once coated, would later be used on specific vehicles for the mounting of carrying systems, be they roof racks or top boxes, they are prone to all the delights that mother nature is able to throw at them.

 

 

The parts which you can see in this picture have been laser cut with oxygen from 10mm S355 mild steel. As these parts will later be used on public transport vehicles. Safety and strength is paramount. As a part of the procedures which come with the supply of parts to this sector, we are able to completely back trace the origin of all material which is supplied to us.
This image shows aluminium ‘braces’ which have been laser cut, using nitrogen gas on our TLC Cut 5 five axis machine with nitrogen gas. We process high volumes of these parts at regular intervals. These are free issued to us by our customer, as a first operation we laser cut the hole and trim the end as shown in the photograph. We then secure these in the same fixture but the other way round, to then repeat the same process at the other end with, instead of a round hole we add a slot.
This image shows the first form of what will later become a section of a sunroof mechanism. These parts have been laser cut by ourselves on one of our flatbed laser cutting machines and then handed over to our sister company Moseley Brothers who, by using one of their vast selection of presses, achieved the illustrated form. Each part is ready to be split into two sections on our five axis 7040 machine before being handed back over to Moseley Brothers for re-striking into their final form.

 

This image shows a batch of formed hollow section, which has been free issued to us by our customer. Each one of these sections is to be processed on our 7040 Trumpf five axis laser cutting machine to add all necessary holes/slots and end detail. Due to the high volume of these parts which we process on a regular basis, we utilise the production capability of the machine to ensure that any downtime is kept to an absolute minimum. Thus ensuring that we are able to provide fast turnarounds on the supply of these to the automotive sector.
Within this pictorial you will see another regular batch of free issue formed parts which have been processed on our TLC cut 5. Five axis laser cutting machine. This 12 year old machine has served us well in oxygen laser cutting the mounting holes and trimming the excess material from the pressing process. As these parts are to be supplied to the automotive sector, batches are large in volume and regular in frequency.
This image shows a batch of recently completed parts which we have processed for one of our largest customers. These 2mm thick mild steel parts have been laser cut on our L20 CO2 Trumpf machine using Nitrogen gas. The use of this gas results in there being no oxide layer on the cut edge as opposed to when cutting with oxygen. Each of the seven folds on each of these parts was done on our 100 tonne, HFEII Amada press brake. Our in house created program and bend sequence allows us to fold these parts completely, without needing to alter the tooling being used, or orientation part way through.
This pictorial illustrates another batch completed of what has become a regular order for our five axis 7040 Trumpf laser machine. Each of the free issue lengths of box section, which is supplied to us at the final length, is processed on our own in house designed and manufactured fixture. This ensures that each and every section of what will be used in drywall systems is positioned with exactly the same datum point every time. Once positioned and fixed in place, we laser cut, with nitrogen gas, 4 large slots as well as removing material from one side to in essence, create a length of channel for use in new builds and refurbishments.
This image shows a ‘nest’ of laser cut parts which were processed on our L50 fibre Trumpf laser machine. These mild steel parts, which were laser cut using nitrogen gas to allow increased adhesion of the final surface finish, will be removed from the machine bed to then proceed onto the next operation. Each part will be folded on one of our 3 Amada press brakes. Once these parts have received the appropriate surface finish they will be used within the automotive industry.
Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In October

Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In October

This image shows two different designs for decorative Christmas baubles. These 0.5mm thick pieces, which have been Laser cut using Nitrogen gas on our large format Fibre laser from Brass sheets directly from customer supplied cad files, will become an addition to a public displayed Christmas tree later this year. Jingle bells Jingle bells!!

Shown in this image is in fact a 2 gang electrical output cover. Each of these ‘covers’ is free issued to us by our customer as a formed piece with only the ‘fixing hole’ on either side included. Once the datum point has been identified on our fixture, which has been designed and manufactured in house to hold 10 parts at a time, we laser cut each aperture out to produce the finished stainless steel cover.
This image shows 6mm thick pickled and oiled mild steel parts which have been laser cut with oxygen gas on our 3030 CO2 3.2kw machine. As these parts are to be later painted to withstand the environmental elements which, as they are to be supplied for the yellow goods sector. The oxide layer is removed by the deburring process prior to any further operations. The result of removing the oxide layer is to increase the adhesion between the part itself and the paint layer, thus ensuring that these parts are fit for function in many years to come.
This photograph shows a laser cut part from 5mm thick mild steel. Due to the size of this piece, roughly measuring 2.4 metres long by 1.7 metres wide. We utilised our largest format machine; which, with a bed size of 4 metres x 2 metres, was easily able to facilitate the 4 metre long sheets which we sourced from our approved supplier especially for producing these parts.
This picture shows a section of what would later become a sunroof mechanism. By utilising our sister company, Moseley Brothers, we are able to supply these sections fully formed for our customer. Gf Laser begins with flatbed laser cutting the flat blanks of these components before passing them over to Moseley Brothers for pressing. Each part is then 5 axis laser cut by us and once again handed over to Moseley Brothers for re-striking to achieve the final form of the component.
This image illustrates a batch of 8mm thick S355 mild steel parts packed up and ready for despatching via our approved, nationwide delivery service. The parts which you can see here have been supplied to meet our customer requirements to ensure that each part is fit for purpose within the demanding automotive sector.

Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In September

This image shows our customers free issue box section lengths banded and ready for collection. Each 1540mm long length is fixed directly onto the cutting table of our 7040 production 5 axis laser to have the 3 slots cut in. These sections are then used in the reinforcement of super energy efficient doors and windows in both domestic, and commercial environments.

 

This image shows one of our five axis fixtures. These are all designed from our customer cad model, then laser cut on one of our flatbed machines, before being assembled and welded in house. This actual fixture has been designed to enable the cutting of 5 sections of tube within a single cutting cycle. Vastly decreasing production of large batches.

 

This image is of a new updated version of an existing blank. To increase formability and strength, the material used is a ‘boron steel.’ We have produced a relatively small batch of the initially for our customer to develop to ensure that the final part, which would be a major structural piece in vehicles globally, is fit for the intended function and exceeds all safety levels.

 

This image shows a large panel, measuring roughly 2metres in length by 1 metre in width. These are free issued to us in the final pressed form. On our 7040 split cabin 5 axis laser trim the excess material from the outside edge. We then proceed to include all fixing holes and slots, before finally removing the centre section to create an external panel for the public transport sector. To reduce overall waste we later cut the required stiffening ribs from the removed centre section. The fixture has been designed in such a manner that it is usable for each and every stage of the 5 axis laser cutting of these panels which also vary in overall size.

 

This pictorial illustrates the smooth ‘Tongue tested’ cut we are able to achieve direct from the laser cutting of 15mm S355 mild steel. These actual parts, which have been oxygen cut on our 3030 3.2kw CO2 laser machine will later become the base plate of a welded assembly within the yellow goods sector.

 

This image shows parts which have been nitrogen cut on one of our current three Trumpf flatbed laser cutting machines. Cut from pre galvanised material measuring 5 millimetres in thickness, each part is produced using our customer supplied CAD files. This ensure that, once on site, they simply bolt together accurately without modification. This enables the erection of industrial buildings in the quickest and most cost effective manner, whilst ensuring strength and safety is never compromised.

New Press Brake Equipment At GF Laser

“We, here at GF Laser Ltd, are delighted to announce the arrival of our new Amada HFE 3i press brake. Our third Amada press brake machine features a press capacity of 220 tonnes, coupled with a bend length of 4 metres which means we are now able to offer an even greater level of service to all of our customers. The state of the art 19”, 3 dimensional touch screen controls enable our fully trained operators to process parts quickly with a consistently high level of accuracy and repeatability.”

 

Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In August

Examples of Laser Cutting Projects In August

This image shows oxygen cut 4mm mild steel parts which have been cut on our L49 3030 Fibre Laser. These parts are currently being folded on our 100 tonne press brake firstly as trials for PPAP testing with our inhouse quality department before proceeding with full quantities.

 

This image shows parts which have been cut on our L50 3040 Fibre laser. Our current largest capacity machine has cut these parts with oxygen gas, from 3mm cr4 mild steel sheet. These parts are produced by us by the thousands month after month. Showing that we have the capacity to produce both high and low volumes to meet customer needs.
Attached is an image of “our new 220 tonne 4 metre press brake in its final position, ready and waiting to supply customers with their requirements to a greater capacity than ever before.”

 

Some Examples Of Our Laser Cutting Projects In July

1.5mm mild steel
This photo shows the laser cut part from the video sent across. By using decoiled sheets we are able to ensure that waste is kept to an absolute minimum. Our customer is one of the leading steel processors and suppliers on the globe. The UK, in particular the midlands, is most definitely at the forefront of manufacturing internationally.

 

These part have been oxygen laser cut on our L20 3030 CO2 laser. Cut from 2mm cr4 mild steel, they will later be folded and used within shops around the country with a hanging rail between them holding your next purchase of a new coat/shirt/ jumper waiting to be picked up and purchased.

 

This image shows parts which have been oxygen laser cut from 10mm thick S355. To ensure that paint adhesion is not compromised by sharp corners we send these to be vibro – deburred to slightly soften these whilst also removing the oxide layer created from  cutting with oxygen.  The process of vibro – deburring uses moulded pellets inside typically a round drum which, by vibratory movement, causes the pellets to come into contact with parts. This action literally vibrates away excess material and debris. Much like sanding, vibro – deburring can be both a wet and dry procedure.

 

this image shows a kit of parts, all of which have been oxygen laser cut on our 3.2 kw L20 CO2  and folded on one of our 100 tonne HFE ll Amada press brakes. These parts, once assembled with the outer casing will become a high security safe, with the possibility of being situated anywhere on the globe.

 

These parts, which have been nitrogen cut on our 4kw L50 fibre laser and then folded in house on our 3 metre press brake are from 1.5mm thick Brass sheet. Once these are with our customer they will be soldered together and polished to create light fixtures.

 

this panel shown within the photo was a free issue sheet from our customer. Measuring a metre wide by almost 2 metres long. The 2.5mm thick cr4 mild steel was folded to customer specification on one of our two identical brake presses. By including 6 folds in all, this has given the part the added strength required to ensure that it will withstand the daily use as a bed for a bespoke commercial vehicle.

 

Some Examples Of Our Laser Cutting Projects This Month

The parts in this picture have been oxygen cut on our L20 CO2 laser. Once formed, they will become mounting brackets for the yellow goods sector.

 

These parts have been nitrogen cut on our largest format machine, L50 fibre. These have been cut with nitrogen and will later be pressed by our customer to be used on prestigious luxury cars. Cut from 2mm thick 5251 H22 aluminium to ensure the final part is both lightweight and strong.

 

These parts have been oxygen cut, again on our L20 CO2 machine and are also being folded by us. As pre – galvanised steel is only available up to 5mm thick, these will be sent for electro galvanising before being used by our customer in the construction industry. The galvanised coating ensures that these parts will withstand the wide array of the great British weather!

 

This is of a large panel, approximately 2.5 metres x 1.5 metres. Which we have folded to customer requirements for a one off special flat bed truck conversion.

Laser-cut aluminium supports industries like yours

The applications for laser cutting aluminium (‘aluminum’) are as diverse as the applications for aluminium itself – no wonder this is now the world’s second most widely used metal.

There’s usually a place for laser-cut aluminium

Aluminium’s  characteristics include low weight, high tensile strength (typically 70 to 700MPa) to weight and ease of machining. Then there’s its excellent heat conductivity, ease of joining, reflectivity and good EMC screening properties. And high corrosion resistance, zero toxicity and non-magnetic properties…

Wherever these characteristics are required, there’s usually a place for precise, cost-effective cutting. And that often means sourcing precision laser-cut aluminium. Imagine the industries and applications where the above properties are important. If manufacture or fabrication of parts and components uses aluminium, aluminium must be cut. Where that happens, there’s a role for laser cutting – especially if precision, speed, tooling-free cutting, avoiding costly de-burring and lower energy use matter.

Transport, construction, packaging and more…

As the most widely used non-ferrous metal, aluminium’s applications embrace myriad aspects of transport, packaging, construction, energy transmission, electronic appliance components and even musical instruments.

With such widespread applications come the inherent challenges of laser cutting this material; laser-cutting aluminium isn’t easy. aluminium has a reputation as a difficult material to laser cut. Worked without suitable skills and care, aluminium has a propensity to burr. What’s more, its innate reflectance can cause problems with certain types of laser cutting apparatus – including serious damage to £250k cutters!

Is aluminium hard to laser cut? Not necessarily.

Maybe that’s why many laser cutters have traditionally been reluctant to work with this metal. Using the latest fibre laser equipment is one way around this. Equally important is the operator’s ability to properly understand and use the advanced settings of CO2 laser cutters. Doing so is key to avoiding issues caused by the reflectivity of sheet aluminium, or pooled molten metal, around cuts. From experience, we believe the issue is more about users than tools – another reason we’re so successful with aluminium laser cutting in so many sectors.

Speed, accuracy and cost advantages of laser-cut aluminium

Few applications have historically used aluminium and aluminium cutting as much as automotive and aerospace industry. In these and other aluminium-using fields, low volume production and prototyping lends itself to the speed and relatively low cost of laser cutting – often without the tooling costs associated with other manufacturing or prototyping methods. Then there’s money-saving ‘press relief’, where the speed, accuracy and cost of aluminium laser cutting helps keep production lines running – vital, given the crippling costs of unplanned downtime.

It’s the same with architectural products, where laser-cut aluminium parts support prototyping, bespoke and batch production. Similarly, in myriad other industries, from the traditional, such as manufacturing household utensils, to advanced defence or scientific applications.

Your industry too?

Whatever industry you’re in, imagine how you use aluminium, how you cut aluminium, and how aluminium laser cutting could help you build a more efficient, more profitable business.

A Period of Expansion & Development

New Premises & Trumpf Laser

It’s been another busy period of growth here at GF Laser with our fifth laser installed in the summer. With limited space at our existing site we took the decision to take on an additional unit less than a mile from our headquarters in Dudley. We plan to expand this unit over the coming months with more machinery as we continue to add more capacity.

Partnership To Offer One Stop Shop

Our sister company Moseley Brothers has also enjoyed a successful year with the launch of a new division MB Presswork. This new division builds on the foundation of the toolmaking business with capacity available to provide low volume press production. In addition, GF Laser and Moseley Brothers are increasingly working together on large projects for the automotive and yellow goods sectors. The joint offering has the ability to provide flat and 5 axis laser cutting, press braking, traditional presswork and toolmaking under one roof. Customers benefit from having a single point of contact and they can save time and money by using one supplier instead of three or four.

Nitrogen Expansion For Fibre Lasers

Back to our new site, GF Laser installed a large 30,000 litre Nitrogen tank to serve the new laser cutting machine. This reflects our increasing need for Nitrogen as the new generation of fiber lasers use substantially more gas when compared to older CO2 machines. The new tank has a telemetry system linked to our supplier so that they can automatically deliver as and when required.

Fibre Lasers For Burr Free Aluminium Cutting

We are also seeing an increase in the requirement for laser cutting aluminium which we cut with Nitrogen. In the past laser cutting companies have not always offered an aluminium cutting service as it tends to need a number of test cuts in order to achieve a burr free finish. However, we are finding that our new Fibre lasers cut burr free with minimal setup due to the technological advances made by our preferred suppliers Trumpf.

New Staff

Expansion of production has meant an increase in staff to help cope with the increased demand.
We have boosted our estimating team over the past few weeks so all quotes are accurate and turned around in as quick a time as possible which can be important on urgent projects.
We can help you with your ongoing and new laser cutting needs no matter the size or turnaround time. Contact the team today and let us help.

Simon Tregillus | Director

T: 01384 245095
M: 07792 143076

You can contact me through LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-tregillus-5ab05b10

GF Laser and Moseley Brothers working together, what services can we provide?

GF Laser and Moseley Brothers work together on numerous projects to provide customers with a complete solution where multiple parts are required that have different manufacturing processes.

Customers are able to deal with their single preferred point of contact at either company who will oversee the project from start to finish.

Working with GF Laser and Moseley Brothers customers can utilise the following manufacturing processes:

FLATBED LASER CUTTING: GF Laser operate multiple flat laser cutting machines around the clock for high and low volume production of metal parts up to 4000mm long and 2000mm wide.

5 AXIS LASER CUTTING: GF Laser offer prototype and 5 axis laser cutting for profiling pressings, extrusions, formed tube and spinnings. All holding jigs and checking fixtures are manufactured in house to ensure each part is produced as accurately as possible.

PRESS BRAKE: Using standard or bespoke tooling, GF Laser can fold parts up to 3000mm long using one of their 100 tonne Amada press brakes.

TOOLMAKING: Moseley Brothers are one of Europe’s most experienced Press Tool Manufacturers, with the capability to design and manufacture press tools as well as project manage the process from start to finish.

CNC MACHINING: Operating small and large bed CNC’s Moseley Brothers offer drilling, tapping and machining for tool manufacture and on a sub-contract basis.

PRESS PRODUCTION: With a range of presses from 75 to 500 Tonne with a 3200mm bed size Moseley Brothers sister company MB Presswork can offer presswork on a relief and production basis. Parts can be produced by both coil feed and single operation as required.

QUALITY APPROVALS: Both companies are approved to ISO 9001 and are working towards the latest TS standard which they are hoping to have implemented in the early part of 2018. PPAP’s, ISIR’s and customer specific inspection reports can be produced using CMM or Laser Inspection.

By offering such a wide range of processes GF Laser and Moseley Brothers can easily cater for customers who require, for example, multiple parts which they then assemble in house. The two companies also have storage facilities so are able to hold safety stock for customers whilst still delivering to customers using supply solutions such as JIT or KANBAN.

If you have a large multi part project that you would like to discuss further please contact a member of the estimating team on sales@gflaser.co.uk for a fast response.

Simon Tregillus | Director

T: 01384 245095
M: 07792 143076

You can contact me through LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-tregillus-5ab05b10