Image: MTC


LASERWELD™ Kentek’s


WELDING HELMET LaserWELD™


Laser


Protective Helmet contains a window that meets D AB9 at 1070nm, OD 9 @ 1060-1090nm, with options of a welding shade of 3 or 5. Laser eyewear with impact resistance must be worn under the laser welding helmet.


LASER ENCLOSURE BARRIERS / CURTAINS


ACRYLIC WINDOWS! Sizes available up to 1219mm × 2438mm!


TUBE MANIPULATION SUBCONTRACTOR BRINGS SHEET METAL WORKING IN-HOUSE


For many years Olicana Products has prided itself on providing a top-quality, high-volume, CNC tube laser cutting and bending service, complemented by robotic welding and powder coating, all under one roof. Customers include commercial seating manufacturers in addition to medical, education and bathroom product providers. The only items bought in were flat metal components that constituted a relatively small part of most fabrications.


It was disruption to the supply of sheet metal components from external subcontractors during the Covid pandemic that prompted Olicana’s management to consider bringing that type of production in-house as well. So, a second- hand, flat-bed, CO2


laser cutting


machine was initially purchased to manufacture the components. Successful implementation showed that this was the right way to go, so it was decided that a new, modern, fibre-laser profiling centre was needed for ongoing use.


kenteklaserstore.com


Stephen Thorpe, Olicana’s technical director commented, “The BLM


LS7 was selected due to it being a top-class machine, coupled with the fact that we have been using tube bending machines from BLM since 2001 and have been very satisfied with both the equipment and the service they provide.”


Mr Thorpe appreciates the modern features of the 6 kW BLM LS7, including automatic sheet position sensing and alignment with the programmed path; active nozzle centring to maintain productivity, particularly during unattended operation; and active zoom, which changes the diameter of the laser beam to optimise cut quality and speed according to the gauge of sheet being processed.


Similar steel materials – mild, high- tensile and stainless – are laser profiled into components nested across 2.5 x 1.25 metre sheets. Tolerances of 50 microns are achieved, consistent with reliable fabrication of the components with the tubular elements.


Contact: Jon Curtis jon@blmgroup.uk.com blmgroup.com


LASER USER 119 MARCH 2026 | 29


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