“We already own a selection of automated Amada CO2 laser-cutting machines, including the first ACIES CO2 bought when it was released in 2013, and an AMADA LC-F1,” explains director Ben Guntrip. “However, we mostly process stainless steel and, for the thinner gauges, we knew there would be gains in both speed and energy reduction by investing in our first fibre laser.”
Guntrip says that Recol is a company accustomed to ‘industry firsts’, and wanted nothing less for its investment in a new fibre laser. A team from Recol visited Amada in Japan to assess the new ACIES-2515TAJ. Duly impressed, the company placed the order, making it the first machine of its type in Europe and only the second in the world outside of Japan.
The ACIES-2515TAJ 4 kW fibre laser is capable of cutting materials up to 6 mm thick, including copper, brass and titanium. A 300-tool, 600-die automatic tool changer with ID tooling system for complete tool management is a machine feature.
“We will use the machine predominantly for processing stainless steel from 2.5 to 3.0 mm in thickness, as this is where we will achieve the most gains, both for ourselves and our customers,” says Guntrip.
To support the new machine, Recol has also ordered an Amada AS-ULS-NTK double-tower system with 30-tonne capacity. The system provides 10 raw material shelves and five finished component shelves. Some 72 hours of unmanned production give true lights-out weekend production.
“We want to leverage the full effect of the available automation, so that we have no reliance on labour,” explains Guntrip. “The buffer of the store makes for a very lean operating concept, which in turn means we can control material diversity across our machines.”
Due to be delivered early next year, the automated fibre laser will be preceded by an Amada HG-1003ATC automated press brake in November 2018.
Concludes Recol’s director: “In total, we are investing close to £2 million to ensure that Recol retains its market-leading position. However, the new Amada fibre laser and press brake are not just about gaining extra capacity, they are about process efficiency, reducing lead-time and ensuring we are not reliant on certain machines. Pure and simple, we are futureproofing our business.”
