Fibre laser technology from leading Turkish manufacturer Durma was the main feature on the stand of Milton Keynes-based Axe & Status at the recent MACH 2018 exhibition; the machine on display also generated a lot of enquires that are currently being followed up (www.axestatus.com).

Sales director Steve Thomas said: “We had high levels of interest in the Durma HD-F 3015 fibre laser machine, which made its UK show debut.

"From customer feedback before the event, we were confident that fibre laser technology would generate potential business opportunities, and that proved to be the case, with the displayed machine being sold on the last day of the show.”

The machine features an IPG 4kW fibre laser source (with chiller), a 3,060 x 1,530mm table, axis speeds of 100m/min (with an acceleration of 20m/sec), and high-precision rack-and-pinion drives that give an accuracy of ±0.3mm.

The Precitec Procutter cutting head has an auto-focus 6in lens with a bevelling capability, while a tube-cutting device accommodates tube up to 400mm in diameter.

The shuttle table allows for automatic pallet changing, and there is a motorised transfer conveyor for removing ‘slugs’ from the machine. Control is via a Siemens SL 840D that offers an automatic nesting facility (via Lantek Expert Cut 11 software).

After the show, the machine was delivered to Knoxford Fabrications Ltd, a Derbyshire-based company specialising in sheet-metal fabrication and sub-contract services. Axe and Status has been the exclusive UK distributor for Durma since 2002.