Trumpf sells £2m of fiber laser tools to UK manufacturer

29 Sep 2015

Industrial components maker HTA (Coventry) invests in fiber laser-based profiling technology.

UK industrial manufacturer HTA Group, based in Coventry, has invested more than £2 million in automated Trumpf fiber laser-based profiling technology. The manufacturer has purchased two 5kW TruLaser 5040 fiber laser cutting machines (of 4x2m format) featuring BrightLine fiber technology and SortMaster part-sorting automation. Both machines are connected to a Trumpf TruStore 3030 storage system via LiftMaster Store loading and unloading automation.

HTA Group manufactures from 8400m² of floor space a variety of precision sheet metal products, components and fabrications for diverse engineering markets. It has135 employees, who together generate £12 million annual turnover, making it one of the UK’s largest subcontract manufacturers. The company’s growth was the predominant reason that the London Stock Exchange recently listed HTA Group on its latest 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain ranking.

The company’s managing director Adam Thomas said, "We wanted to take our profiling capability to a new level, using the latest technology available. It was clear to us that solid-state lasers were the way forward, particularly with the advent of Trumpf’’s BrightLine fiber technology, which makes it possible to cut the full spectrum of material gauges, even thick parts, using a solid-state laser."

Using BrightLine fiber, makes it possible to switch from thin to thick sheet processing on a single machine platform without any loss of quality. Up to 25mm-thick steel, stainless steel and aluminium can be cut using a solid state laser with excellent edge quality.

Fiber laser benefits

Thomas added, “Being able to exploit the speed of our fiber laser cutter on all gauges is exciting, particularly in light of the recent trend for reshoring contracts back to the UK in industries such as automotive. BrightLine fiber, in combination with the extensive automation capabilities of our new investment, makes HTA attractive to automotive OEMs and tier suppliers."

HTA acquired its first Trumpf laser cutter in 2005, a TC3000R, and today there are no fewer than six Trumpf flat bed laser cutters on site at Coventry, along with one punching machine and seven press brakes. Trumpf’s TruTops programming software is used throughout.

"Trumpf took us to the Euroblech 2014 exhibition in Hanover and introduced us to the TruLaser 5040 fiber laser cutting machines and BrightLine fiber," added Thomas. "We knew the machines were right for us, and they were subsequently installed, along with the automation, and were commissioned at the start of 2015."

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.