Cumbria-based Barrnon Ltd, which has customers in a wide range of industry sectors, including marine, agriculture, nuclear decommissioning and oil and gas, has invested in a bespoke Kimla laser machine — supplied by MBA Engineering (www.mba-eng.co.uk) — that allows the company to both cut and weld using the same IPG Photonics 6kW laser source.

Barrnon director Andy Barr said: “I’d heard about the speed and efficiency of the Kimla machines within the industry and went to see them for myself at Leeds-based MBA.

“I decided to purchase a 1530 Powercut Linear fibre machine that could share the laser source of our robotic welder.

"We needed a truly bespoke machine to be fitted around the robot’s source, and MBA was able to deliver this.

"We’ve been very impressed with the machine so far, and the additional support we have received since the installation provides great peace of mind.”

MBA’s managing director, Bradley McBain, said: “Providing a machine without a source is a unique project, but the flexibility of the Kimla machines enables us to meet a manufacturer’s requirements.

"At a time where lasers are becoming more efficient, a fibre laser cutting machine can complete jobs in a fraction of the time of its predecessor, freeing up time for the business.

"In Barrnon’s case, this time is used by its robotic welder.”