TPT September 2023

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

Duright Engineering invests in BLM laser to boost tube cutting efficiency

“At Duright we run a tight production system with every job, every operation, barcoded so everything has an allocated time whether that be set-up or production. Our target is to achieve 80 per cent efficiency on a daily basis, with 80 to 84 per cent being the typical figure. The new BLM LT7 machines are achieving 93 per cent efficiency, even with 10 or 12 changeovers in a 24-hour period, the machines are much more streamlined. For us this is a big benefit as we push machines as hard as they can go with no spare time,” said Mr Taylor. BLM Group has been a supplier to Duright Engineering for many years, a relationship built on trust and quality of the machines, along with the technical support available. Mr Taylor added: “The LT7 cuts faster than the old machine, but speed isn’t everything. The fibre laser technology has come on leaps and bounds and the speed at which we can change from one job to another, with limited operator input is major step forward.”

Mr Taylor was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the operators adapted to the new technology of the BLM LT7 fibre laser, such that within 12 months a second machine was ordered. With these machines supported by a new nitrogen generating system, that is alone delivering significant savings on liquid nitrogen used for the lasers. Add to this the efficiencies brought to the business by the BLM LT7 laser tube machines and Duright is able to offer improved service and competitive rates. The company has also generated increased capacity. The BLM LT7 Laser Tube features a 3D cutting head equipped with a 3kW fibre laser, efficiencies are created through innovative design features such as the automatic setting of the tube loader, spindle, steady rest and intermediate supports in preparation for the next job with no interruption to the production cycle. The automatic tube loader can handle round and square tubes, rectangular profiles, open profiles, or special sections weighing up to 23kg/metre and up to 8.5m in length, while tube between 12mm and 152.4mm can be cut.

DURIGHT Engineering, a leading UK tube cutting and processing sub contractor, prides itself on the quality of the products it cuts, as well as its ability to meet exacting lead times. Operating around the clock, it works its machines hard and, as a result, machinery replacement is normally based on age and performance. However, the latest investment in two BLM LT7 fibre laser tube machines provided the opportunity to develop the service offered by Duright and improve efficiency. Duright saw business grow during Covid-19 due to its exposure to the medical equipment sector, where it was involved in manufacturing parts for beds for the Nightingale hospitals, among other medical-related projects. “The period of the pandemic proved to be some of our busiest years and in part drove our decision to invest in our first BLM LT7, as it provided a step-change in technology in terms of how easy and quick it was to set and improved performance on a lot of the exotic materials that we cut,” said Ross Taylor, managing director, Duright Engineering. He added: “The technology and inbuilt control software enhances the ability of our operators.”

BLM Group UK www.blmgroup.com

The two recently installed BLM LT7 fibre laser tube cutting systems are helping to improve efficiency

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SEPTEMBER 2023