Coventry, Warwickshire, England - HTA Group has invested over £2 million ($3.1 million) in automated laser cutting technology in an installation that is said to be unparalleled in the UK.
The equipment comprises two 5kW TRUMPF TruLaser 5040 fiber laser cutting machines with fiber technology and part sorting automation. Both machines are connected to an automated storage system via automated loading and unloading systems.
HTA Group, established in 1973, today has 90,000 sq ft of floor space, 135 employees, and £12 million ($18 million) annual turnover, making it one of the UK’s largest subcontract manufacturers.
The installation will help the company enhance its offering, namely the supply of laser-cut parts and fabrications for industries such as construction, automotive, defense, rail, renewables, and oil and gas.
Using the BrightLine fiber laser, it is possible to switch from thin- to thick-sheet processing on a single machine platform without any loss of quality. Up to 25mm-thick steel, stainless steel, and aluminum can be cut using a solid-state laser with excellent edge quality.
The company acquired its first TRUMPF laser cutter in 2005, and today there are six TRUMPF flat bed laser cutters onsite.
HTA uses its new fiber laser machines to process material ranging from 0.4 to 25mm thick. Moreover, the use of fiber laser cutters means the company can also process reflective materials such as brass and copper (up to 10mm), as well as more typical materials like mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Full automation ensures that material loading, finished part removal, and part sorting is taken care of without human intervention, while the storage system can house up to 200 tons of raw material.