CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
Versatile Laser Cutting Machine
Delivers Speed and Precision
The Challenge
When choosing a laser cutting machine for medical devices and similar components, contract manufacturers often have to decide between speed (power) and precision. What if they need both? Micrometric Ltd, Lincoln, UK, is a successful laser cutting, welding and marking sub-contractor, specializing in providing “difficult” components for markets from medical devices to nuclear power. In 2019, they wanted to expand their tube cutting capabilities to win a specific contract involving thicker-walled tube than their typical projects. In addition to needing speed, reliability, ease of use, etc., they also prioritized versatility, in order to maximize ROI based on precision cutting of a diverse range of tubing thicknesses.
The Solution
After careful evaluation they selected the StarCut Tube from Coherent. The StarCut Tube is a 3 or 4 axis, CNC, laser-based, fully-automated system, primarily intended for production of high-precision tubular and flat components, including medical instruments and aerospace parts. It can be configured with either a fiber laser or ultrashort pulse (USP) laser. Micrometric chose the fiber laser since the initial project involved a 22 mm diameter stainless steel tube with a 1 mm wall thickness where power and cutting speed were important. StarCut Tube proved ideal for this application and delivered the promised results. However, the customer then changed their design so there was no follow up order for more of the thicker tube components.
The Result
That’s where the versatility Micrometric had prioritized became invaluable. Managing Director Neil Main explains, “The ability of StarCut Tube to cut thinner tubes and flat stock with increased precision has extended our portfolio of capabilities and the range of contracts we can pursue and win. As a result, we now make heavy use of this machine on several new components, on batch sizes from 10 to 10,000. Our team finds it easy to use and it’s also proved very reliable with no downtime and no service needed at all. We would happily recommend this machine to any job shop without any reservation.”
To learn more about Coherent laser solutions at Micrometric Ltd., read the full success story.
"Our team finds StarCut Tube easy to use and it’s also proved very reliable with no downtime and no service needed at all. We would happily recommend this machine to any job shop."
— Neil Main, Managing Director, Micrometric Ltd., Lincoln, UK
