Quality at source

Prima Power claims to be the world’s first laser cutting machine manufacturer to launch its own, in-house developed fibre laser source.

Now available across the company’s product range, Prima Power’s active gain medium is an optical fibre doped with ytterbium. Negating the need for laser gases, mirrors or moving parts, laser light is transferred via a passive fibre cable to the cutting head. The eco-compatible, highly-efficient Prima Power technology delivers enhanced levels of productivity and excellent precision with low maintenance requirements

The first Prima Power machine sold in the UK featuring the company’s own laser source is an advanced Rapido 3D laser cutter, recently installed, along with a 2m Prima Power brake press, at the premises of PAB Coventry.

PAB Coventry is one of Europe’s leading providers of advanced fabrication services. In addition to offering expert prototype, production, project management and design facilities, the company also provides specialist tooling. PAB has evolved longstanding relationships with many UK and international customers who are involved in a variety of challenging industries.

Explaining the reasons behind the company’s latest Prima Power purchase, PAB Coventry CEO Mark Brazier said: “PAB Coventry has more than 30 years’ experience of working with metals such as stainless steel, high strength and mild steels, aluminium, copper and a range of other complex and exotic materials. Our in-depth knowledge, the workmanship of our skilled staff and our use of state-of-the-art fabrication production aids enables us to deliver a wide range of high-quality engineering solutions.

“Given the demanding nature of the customers that we serve and the high-standards of the fabricated parts they expect us to deliver, some years ago we searched for a laser cutting machine that would enable the production of high-volume, high-quality components. Having compared the available options, we considered a Prima Power machine to be the ideal choice – ticking all the right boxes in terms of accuracy and reliability. We also received excellent service from Prima Power UK.

“Over several years our business grew and the need for further fabrication machines such as laser cutters and press brakes arose – but despite our early positive experience with Prima Power, to ensure that we received the best tool for the job and best value for money we still decided to look at other brands. Although, when we made comparisons, each time we concluded that whatever the machine category, the Prima Power offering was the perfect option for our high volume, high quality needs.

“The recent installation of our new Rapido fibre 3D laser cutting machine marks the final pieces in our ambitious three-year, £3 million expansion program. Due to the growth of our business and our continued loyalty to the brand, I believe that we are now the UK’s largest user of Prima Power machines. In addition to the machines’ excellent precision and efficiency, as Prima Power’s product range covers all aspects of sheet metal working, including laser cutting, welding and drilling, punching and bending, it helps that the company’s common software and operating systems provides flexibility when we are deploying our production personnel.”

Offering models to suit all applications, Prima Power’s laser cutting machines are based on flexible technology ensuring that a wide variety of materials and thicknesses can be processed, with no limits to the shapes users are able to create. Prima’s fast programming system enables changes to be applied in any phase of production with virtually no costs or time implications.

With X, Y, Z axis strokes of 4,080mm, 1,530mm, 765mm, the Rapido 3D laser cutter, as purchased by PAB Coventry, is based on a robust, synthetic granite frame designed with state-of-the-art topology optimisation methods, ensuring smooth movements even at the highest dynamics. Excellent user accessibility is provided due to the machine’s overhead retractable arm and cantilever structure arrangement. A focusing head with direct drives and transducers delivers high-dynamics, high levels of accuracy with no backlash and reduced maintenance needs.

A wide range of different applications within a single machine are possible. Thanks to the machine’s movable partition wall and a sliding roof, the available working area can be divided into two halves. The Rapido’s design delivers a large working volume with reduced machine dimensions, ensuring that less factory space is occupied.

Various machine configurations and a range of accessories are available to meet a variety of production requirements, including a turntable, split cabin and an automatic shuttle. A welding head is also offered.

Easy to use programming software and Prima Power’s simple operator interface ensures fast set-ups and reduced downtime whilst user-friendly and powerful 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software allows the rapid generation and testing of the entire cutting program.

Mark Brazier concludes: “Now installed and fully operational, the machine is now producing impressive volumes of high-quality, precise components and we have been particularly impressed with its ability to generate intricate cutting shapes.

“Not only is the machine allowing our production levels to keep pace with current demand – the machine’s impressive productive potential should ensure that we are able to keep up with future requirements.”

PAB Coventry www.pabgroup.co.uk

Prima Power UK www.primapower.com

Company

Prima Power

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