The first profiler, delivered in January 2017, has sheet capacity of 3 by 1.5 m, the latter two 4 by 2 m. It has also ordered a 225 tonne 4 m capacity pressbrake to extend the company’s bending capacity.
Founder Danny Fantom comments: “The latest fibre lasers are a game-changer compared to conventional CO2 lasers. We can now effortlessly cut stainless steel and aluminium up to 30 mm, mild steel up to 25 mm and more exotic materials such as brass up to 15 mm. In the past, these materials have been processed conventionally by plasma or water jet at great expense, but can be now cut in moments on our latest, cost-efficient laser machines.”
He established the business in 2012 with a single Bystronic Bysprint Pro 4.4 kW CO2 laser cutting machine; since then he has invested in two further laser machines, two press brakes and moved to larger premises in 2015. The company also offers countersinking, drill and tap and EDM cutting.
FC Laser’s customers come from a range of sectors including the structural, architectural, shopfitting and automotive industries and will benefit from the improvements in production capacity and shorter lead-times.
Fantom adds: “As users of this technology for more than 20 years, we aim to realise the full potential from our machines, especially the fibre laser’s speed, whilst ensuring that the highest cutting standards are achieved.”
The latest investments have also generated five new technical and administration apprentice schemes, two of which are already filled. The apprentices will work towards NVQ III Business Administration and NVQ III Fabrication, Welding and Mechanical Services qualifications. Fantom himself was trained as an apprentice.
