Page 33 - MetalForming November 2011

2010, invest in a fiber-laser cutting machine—a 2000-W Salvagnini L1Xe model with a 5-by-10-ft. worktable.
“All of my concerns with CO2 tech- nology disappear with the fiber laser,” says Hansen. “It’s clearly a better long- term investment for us.”
When we spoke with Hansen, his fabrication shop was processing a very large job for an architectural fabricator. The laser was cutting 0.037-in.-thick aluminum discs that will be used to decorate the walls of a Las Vegas casino.
“That’s not what I would call our typical customer,” Hansen says. “I’m extremely excited to bring this type of new business to Ultra Tool.”
The Right Wavelength
Faster, and More Efficient
Ultra Tool’s new fabrication depart- ment, which in addition to the laser- cutting machine includes a new press brake, CNC tapping center and a resistance-welding machine, repre- sents part of the firm’s investment over the last five years of more than $6.1 million in new technology. Addi- tional investments have been made in new presses, design software and an
inhouse sensor laboratory.
“The first big job our fabrication
department earned for us was manu- facturing a hydraulic pump bracket for the Nissan Murano,” shares Hansen. Laser blanking and then forming the bracket (on a new Durma 150-ton CNC press brake) saved the shop’s customer more than $120,000 in up-front tooling costs that would have taken more than 8 yr. to achieve a complete return on
Why can a fiber laser more readily cut aluminum and other reflective metal alloys, while a CO2 laser struggles to do so? It all comes down to physics and beam wavelength. CO2 lasers typ- ically emit at a wavelength of 10.6 μm, while solid-state lasers (such as fiber lasers) emit at wavelengths generally one-tenth that of a CO2 laser. The smaller-wavelength beam is much more readily absorbed by reflective materials. In addition, this same prop- erty also allows the beams to be trans- mitted from source to target without the use of mirrors; a fiberoptic cable does the trick.
In addition to cutting architectural aluminum, Ultra Tool’s fiber-laser cut- ting machine processes some 50 part numbers on a regular basis for about 25 customers. Of these, roughly 75 percent are existing customers of the company’s stamping business, while new cus- tomers make up the remainder of the work running through the laser.
Existing customers of Ultra Tool’s stamping business like the economical advantages of fabricating relatively low- volume work rather than having to invest in progressive dies that might not pay for themselves for several years. While it’s difficult to define the break- even volume that justifies stamping tooling versus the higher piece-part costs of fabrication, Hansen figures it’s around 10,000 parts.
Outsource
With Stamco A Stamper’s Stamper
The recent manufacturing climate demands a tough hard look at the way we do business. Stamco’s streamlined operations have raised efficiencies beyond expectations, significantly increasing our stamping capacity. This is a Win-Win situation for both of us. With the high cost of capital today, outsourcing helps you minimize ongoing investments in presses, related equipment and maintenance costs.
Outsourcing with Stamco brings many benefits:
- Access to 800 through 3000 ton stamping capabilities
- Press bed lengths up to 264”
- Singlehit,progressive,andtransfertoolingcapabilities - On staff engineering and award winning quality control - Financial stability through 27 years in business
- A Certified ISO9001:2008 supplier
- Our commitment to protect your margins
When you consider the strategic, operational, and financial advantages of outsourcing, we hope you decide to partner with a Stamper’s Stamper. Contact Doug Tisch today! 216-731-9333 ext. 135 or sales@stamcoind.com
Tough times bring new opportunities.
Let’s share opportunities together.
Stamco Industries, Inc.
26650 Lakeland Blvd. Euclid, Ohio 44132 216-731-9333 www.stamcoind.com/winwin
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