A strong order book has led a Thatcham-based manufacturer to invest in new state-of-the-art laser equipment and move to a new facility. Taylor Made Fabrication (TMF) has invested in a Mazak OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER 3015 III to improve processing speeds and increase production capacity in order to meet demand.

Ray Baker, Director at TMF, said strong demand led the company to approve the investment: “We’re always busy and given our levels of demand we felt that it was important to upgrade our laser cutting technology.”

“Our previous unit was becoming slower and needed more maintenance to keep operational. We can’t afford any downtime or let customers down, so the new investment, which has coincided with our move to a new facility, is very important for the future of the company. Mazak’s OPTIPLEX NEXUS ticks all the boxes for us in terms of price, performance and capacity,” he continued.

The OPTIPLEX equipment comes with a powerful 3.0kW laser that has dramatically improved production throughput. “We’ve been able to make significant improvements in processing speed and also begin processing thicker aluminium and stainless and mild steel which has opened doors for us with new customers.”

Founded in 1992, TMF provide a wide array of services in the general contracting space alongside its precision laser cutting offering, including metal fabrication, punching, folding, welding and guillotining.

The company manufactures for multiple industries, producing parts to order through its fully-equipped CNC machine workshop and online CAD/CAM facilities, which ensure continuity and accuracy.

“One of the main things that stood out about the OPTIPLEX NEXUS was the flexibility offered by its twin pallet design, as opposed to our previous machine, which was only equipped with a single pallet,” say Ray. “Because we work in general subcontracting, we’re always busy. Being able to save time on loading in new sheet metal while we take out the completed workpieces has made a significant improvement to our productivity.”

Training and support during the installation has been vital to making the transition to the new machine. “Throughout my dealings with Mazak, I have always found them to be a responsive company – if ever there was a problem, they solved it immediately.”

Alan Mucklow, Managing Director UK & National Distributor Sales at Yamazaki Mazak, commented: “Mazak is a byword for quality in the laser processing market, and we’re pleased to have helped Taylor Made Fabrication upgrade their existing machinery and take on new business.

He continues: “The OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER 3015 III was designed to offer market-leading performance and precision, while also being extremely energy-efficient. Consequently, I am sure that this unit will not only enhance the company’s day-to-day operations, it will also help reduce the new site’s overall carbon footprint and electricity consumption levels.”