Client Case Study

Client Case Study

In 2015, the company’s old plasma machine started having problems and needed to be replaced. A customer directed them to Buds Machine Tools as a source for high-quality machines.

Barber Welding is a custom fabrication job shop located in Spanish Fork, Utah. They specialize in ornamental fencing, gates, staircases and window wells for contractors and residential homeowners.

THE CHALLENGES

Tighter Floor Space

Barber Welding had very limited space in its production area for a new laser. Rearranging the production area was not an option.

Detail Quality

The metal products made by Barber Welding contain many ornamental details, such as crisp corner and deep pockets. Quality is extremely important; a new laser must be able to reliably replicate the ornamental details in each and every piece.

Broad Range of Material

Baber Welding works with a wide range of metal types and thicknesses. They cut everything from very hard 3/8” Tool Steel to 5/8” Mild Steel to 1/4” Aluminum. They want to be able to cut all these materials in-house.

One-off Jobs

Customers often request small quantities of custom designed parts. Barber Welding does not want to turn these customers away, nor do they want to lose money in set-up time on these smaller jobs.

OUR SOLUTIONS

JORGENSON APPLICATION SPECIALISTS RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE OLD PLASMA MACHINE WITH A MORE EFFICIENT, MAINTENANCE-FREE FIBER LASER. A 2KW JMT-ECO MODEL SATISFIED ALL OF BARBER WELDING’S PARAMETERS.

Tight Floor Space

The JMT-Eco model has a compact footprint that works well in tight production spaces. It fits into a space just 21’ square. Material is loaded from the side, so the machine can still cut full size (5’ x 10’) sheets. This allows it to be small-scale without compromising efficiency.

Broad Range of Material

Powered by a 2kW IPG resonator, the JMT-Eco laser is has a comparable cutting capacity to a 4kW CO2 laser. This fiber laser can cut metal more efficiently and safely than a CO2 laser because the laser beam is more readily absorbed and not reflected.

Detail Quality

Since fiber lasers do not rely on mirrors, the auto-focusing head delivers the laser beam with extreme accuracy. The JMT-Eco model has a positional accuracy of +/- 0.002” and repeatability of +/- 0.0007”—that’s the thickness of a human hair. With this degree of accuracy and repeatability, the JMT fiber laser can replicate even the finest design details.

One-off Jobs

Radan CAD/CAM software, which came as part of the JMT-Eco system makes it easy to edit drawings, toolpath and nest parts. This software reduces set-up times making it cost-effective to produce custom designs and one-off parts, giving Barber Welding a flexible advantage. Effective nesting helps reduce scrap material.

The Results

Barber Welding

Russel Smith

Jorgenson Machine Tools was there for us through the entire installation process. When we ran into issues at start-up, they were there to get the problems resolved. Today, we’re very happy with the laser. It cuts steel like butter.

Barber Welding

THE JMT FIBER LASER IS CUTTING PARTS SO QUICKLY THAT PRODUCTION TIME HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 62%, GOING DOWN FROM 8 DAYS WITH THE CO2 LASER TO JUST 3 DAYS WITH THE NEW FIBER LASER. WITH THE EXTRA PRODUCTION CAPACITY, THE COMPANY OWNERS DECIDED TO START A
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