Mayflower specialises in supplying laser-cut, formed, machined and fabricated components and already processes some 10,000 tons of material a year on its existing laser machines. It can cut components up to 8m long and has CNC press brakes with capacities up to 640 tonnes that can form components up to 7.2 metres long.
With the new TRUMPF L4050 6kW laser it will be able to cut carbon and mild steel up to 25mm thick, stainless steel up to 25mm thick and aluminium up to 15mm thick, or process thinner material at up to 40 metres per minute.
According to Sales Director, Karl Stewart, Mayflower needed to invest in a new machine because it had won a number of new contracts and wanted extra capacity to accommodate them. But when it came to select a new machine it became clear that the company had the opportunity to steal a march on its competitors.
“When we looked at TRUMPF’s new 6kW laser we saw it would be a great opportunity to bring some brand-new, literally cutting-edge technology into the business that would put us ahead of the market. It allows us to do things that other companies can’t.
“We will use both the thickness capability and the increased speed that the 6kW laser gives us but, if anything, it is the ability to cut thicker material that is more important.”
As Karl explains, Mayflower has always been strong in the heavier end of sheet and plate working, and the new machine takes that onto an even higher level.
“We offer a full cutting, forming, machining and fabrication service to a wide range of markets, and some of our key markets include quarrying equipment such as crushers, refuse vehicles, railway rolling stock and construction plant. We like to feel we can differentiate ourselves from the competition through our range of services,” he says.
Mayflower also acts as a service centre for SSAB Swedish Steel’s Weldox high-strength and Hardox and wear-resistant steels. These are used in fabrications such as vehicle chassis and crane booms.
Karl says that Mayflower is keen to develop new markets in thicker aluminium components. “So far, we have only been able to cut aluminium up to 5mm – 15mm aluminium is an area that we’ve not really developed before. There are a lot of opportunities and the laser’s power and performance will make us very competitive on our existing work as well.”
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