Getting fit for the future with high-performance in-house laser cutting

Rochdale-based Exigo-UK is all set for high-performance in-house laser cutting, after purchasing the Nukon 2D fibre laser machine that was displayed on the Ingenium Integration stand at MACH 2022.

Makers of the globally acclaimed Exigo range of commercial gym equipment, the team at Exigo-UK was becoming increasing tired of relying upon external suppliers for the laser cutting of mild steel components for use in the manufacture of several of its products. Having decided to invest in its own fibre laser flat sheet metal cutting equipment, however, the company was faced with finding a machine that would fit into a limited workspace, offer high levels of performance, be economical to run and be accessibly priced.

“We decided that a trip to the MACH 2022 machine tools exhibition at the NEC would make good sense, as it would allow us to compare a number of fibre laser machines at the same time,” comments Exigo-UK managing director, Darren Golden. “Although it wasn’t our intention to buy during the visit, it became clear that choosing the Nukon 2D machine from Ingenium Integration would be a good business decision. It offered high levels of performance, an exceptionally compact footprint and was affordable. The Ingenium Integration team was exceptionally helpful in demonstrating how the Nukon machine would meet our needs. It was also pleasing to see that with 4kW power, the laser would be frugal to run and only require access to mains electricity. We anticipate the machine paying for itself over the next 12 months.”

The Nukon 2D fibre laser machine purchased by Exigo-UK during MACH 2022, and soon to be installed at their Rochdale manufacturing centre, is one of Nukon’s Eco 315 4kW models. Specially developed for first-time laser users, organisations wishing to add value to in-house manufactured products, and subcontractors either starting out in 2D laser cutting or with demanding flat-bed laser metal cutting requirements, Eco machines offer high-spec features that are standard across the wider Nukon range. These include advanced Lantek Expert CAD/CAM nesting software and American-made nLIGHT fibre lasers.

The machine bought by Exigo-UK is also equipped with optional adaptive beam optimisation and optional cut-line beam-shaping technology – a capability that provides improved cut-edge finish and easy, rapid cutting of different sheet thicknesses and metals. Nukon Eco models have a compact 7 metre x 7 metre footprint and can accept sheet metal of up to 3 metres x 1.5 metres. They are available in power options from 1kW to 4kW.

“It was a pleasure to meet the team from Exigo-UK at MACH 2022, get to fully understand their cutting requirements and assist in their decision to purchase the Nukon Eco 315 4kW fibre laser,” comments Steve Haddrell, sales manager at Ingenium Integration, the official UK and Ireland distributors of Nukon’s laser machines. “For such premium quality machines, Nukon fibre lasers are incredibly accessible. The extremely compact footprint of several models also makes them well-suited to production environments where floorspace is limited. While their low power consumption is a significant advantage in these times of record energy bills. As soon as Exigo-UK’s new Nukon machine has been installed, comprehensive user training and support will be provided to help ensure they get the very most from their investment.”

The Nukon fibre laser range includes 2D, 3D (5-axis) and laser tube cutting machines, all of which combine high performance with high efficiency. Nukon 3D, 5-axis machines have been developed for the most challenging of applications, such as precision-cutting tubes, pipes and intricate profiles in a wide variety of materials, as well as for R&D work. Nukon laser tube cutting machines include pipe and profile cutting models, as well as ‘Vento Flex’, a highly versatile machine able to cut tubes, pipes, profiles and flat sheet metal. To assist customers in maximising the productivity and efficiency of their laser cutting operations, Ingenium Integration also offers Nukon’s range of fully automated loading and unloading solutions. Additionally, companies buying a Nukon fibre laser cutting system from Ingenium Integration can also expect to receive uncompromising levels of service and support.

Ingenium Integration is the sister company of Unison Ltd, the inventor of all-electric tube manipulation and a business renowned for providing the highest levels of aftersales care and support. Before being appointed as Nukon’s exclusive UK and Ireland distributor in 2021, Ingenium Integration spent time searching the market for a range of high quality, accessible laser cutting technologies that would be of significant interest to manufacturers. “Short of building our own laser cutting machines in-house, our challenge was to find an established product range that mirrored the uncompromising levels of accuracy, reliability, build quality and support that are synonymous with the Unison name,” concludes Steve Haddrell. “We believe we have found such a product range in Nukon.”