Cutting and forming company relies on Trumpf machinery

In order to satisfy these demanding needs and to offer a cost-effective option to a competitive market sector, Onesite Laser had to invest in the right laser processing technology and for them the right partner was TRUMPF. Onesite Laser's Managing Director, Shaun Simpson explains: "Somebody explained to me years ago that in business you don't take an order, you buy risk and by buying risk your customer expects you to give them something that they pay you for. So what we needed was a machine that would ensure we'd get paid. It had to be reliable and constantly give us what we needed day after day after day. With TRUMPF that is what we get."

But Onesite Laser didn't start out using TRUMPF; it was a journey of trial and error. Being a small business and not wanting to rack up a lot of debt, it initially started down the second-hand machine route. With unsatisfactory results, the business knew it would need to invest in new machines and picked TRUMPF for a variety of reasons. There were impressive trials that had been carried out with its machines and TRUMPF also offered a complete package that includes a machine, a laser, automation systems, software as well as a large, international service network.

However, the biggest reason that swayed Onesite Laser towards TRUMPF was its approach to customer service. Shaun Simpson says: "People buy from people and with TRUMPF we felt as though we were dealing with family and peers rather than just dealing with sales people. They never tried to once sell the machine to me, instead they showed me what the machine could do and how it could help meet our needs, and that is why we chose that route in the end."

Having outgrown its previous site, Onesite Laser recently moved into a new 10,000 square foot facility. Here it operates two recently purchased TRUMPF laser cutting machines with the intention of installing a third one soon. These TRUMPF TruLaser 3030 fibre machines, with a working range of 3000 × 1500 × 115mm and laser power of 6000watts, is capable of working mild steel in all sheet thicknesses.

Learning curve

The TRUMPF TruLaser 3030 fibre works with a fully integrated solid-state TRUMPF TruDisk laser. The preference of CO2 or fibre technology is down to the individual company and the specific applications the machines are being used for. Whilst Onesite Laser used to operate cutting machines with CO2 lasers, it has now moved over to fibre laser technology, which certainly proved to be a learning curve.

Shaun Simpson says: "Going from a CO2 machine to a fibre was like driving a different car, from an automatic to a manual. You have to re-educate your operators, your material source, your programming, and if you get any bit wrong, it ends up being disastrous. We learnt the hard way, like many laser cutters, as we expected it to be the same but it wasn't." But as Shaun explains, once they all learnt how to drive the fibre machines properly, there hasn't been a single complaint from the operators.

One of the biggest benefits of the TRUMPF TruLaser 3030 fibre machines is their ability to operate at both higher speeds and with higher electrical efficiency, resulting in lower running costs. Shaun Simpson says: "Our electricity bill has halved. We built the new facility with three CO2 laser machines in mind but with the two fibre machines we've not needed to purchase a third yet because the technology is reliable, stable and it's much quicker than what we expected it was going to be."

In the new facility, Onesite Laser has also invested in another new machine, the TRUMPF TruMark Station 5000. This marking system, which is suitable for diverse application scenarios, was not originally purchased for commercial gain. Shaun Simpson says: "It was bought to try and get my youngest son interested in engineering. We started by making little marketing trinkets like key rings, bottle openers and coasters. But as we used it more, we started to see the value in its use for commercial purposes, especially as a lot of customers have seen what this little marker can do. We are developing it more and more for use for things like tags and deep engraving."

The new facility will also be Industry 4.0. ready as it's starting to be fitted out with TRUMPF's TruConnect solutions that will enable networked production. Shaun Simpson comments: "The screens and the entire cabling are in, we just have to get the software switched on. This will really help show us where we are slowing down, particularly across shift patterns, and help us to improve our processes."

Not only does Onesite Laser's new facility boast a range of TRUMPF machines together with its forthcoming smart factory solution, it has also been painted in TRUMPF's signature brand colours of blue and white, making it look like a TRUMPF showroom. Shaun Simpson says: "As I had to drive down to TRUMPF's UK headquarters in Luton, I said that I would build a Northern UK TRUMPF showroom. We had to decorate the building anyway, and I liked the blue and white of TRUMPF. It was a thank you to TRUMPF to let them know that I'm happy with what they have done for me and so I'm helping them back."

Learn more at www.uk.trumpf.com.