Jumbo laser set for UK debut

Laser Tube Cutting, part of the Barrett Steel Group, will install the world’s largest tube laser at its West Midlands facility in September.

The machine, known as the Jumbo and manufactured in Italy by BLM Adige, can process steel tubes up to 18m in length, 508mm in diameter and up to 16mm thickness.

David Cleaver, Laser Tube Cutting’s Product Development Manager, said this is the only machine with this processing capability and size to be located in the UK.

“The Jumbo lives up to its name both in the size of the sections it can process to the shear scale of the machine,” added Mr Cleaver.

Materials that can be processed include mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and pre-galvanised steel.

“The Jumbo, unlike our other tube lasers, can also add weld preparations during the process which saves time,” said Mr Cleaver. “But the biggest advantage is the fact that we’ll be able to increase production to include a full range of sections.”

The installation of the Jumbo machine is part of an on-going investment programme which Laser Tube Cutting said will enhance its position as the UK’s leading tube and hollow section processor.

During April the company installed its fourth cutter, a combination flat bed/tube laser. This machine can produce up to 6m long finished pieces in tube, with up to 225mm diameter and square or rectangular hollow sections 160mm x 160mm  to 200mm x 100mm.