Tec Systems pioneer UK’s most powerful laser system

 Automation and Laser specialists Cyan Tec Systems are leading the way with the recent supply of a 20kW laser solution to The Manufacturing Technology Centre (The MTC) in Antsy, West Midlands. UK based Cyan Tec were selected from a competitive field of international providers to achieve this forward looking project.

The high profile venture is part of a significant investment by the MTC. Cyan Tec’s Managing Director, Tony Jones, states “This is a good news story for UK manufacturing. Cyan Tec have developed a system which will ensure that British manufacturing is at the forefront of assembly, fabrication and joining technologies.”  This project demonstrates that the UK can apply research excellence and new technology to enable commercial production to achieve global competitiveness.

Tec supplies high end automation and laser solutions for many industry sectors including aerospace and automotive companies.  Industry led MTC includes Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Aero Engine Controls as members. Cyan Tec’s Chairman, Clayton Sampson, reports “Cyan Tec’s investment in new facilities 3 years ago and its high calibre personnel enables us to achieve this ground breaking project.”

Cyan Tec’s laser cell includes a 20kW Ytterbium fibre laser with a 4 way beam switch, an active cell guarding structure, a 6 axis robot, two multi axis servo driven manipulators and a range of laser heads and optics to cover a wide range of applications.  The cell processes complex 3D components up to 5000kg and 3m in diameter. Data monitoring and capture capabilities are built into the cell to allow projects the MTC undertakes for clients to be fully recorded and documented.

Ken Young, Technology Manager at the MTC said “The laser cell is a unique combination of state-of-the-art equipment which will be used to provide UK industry with an unparalleled environment for the development and demonstration of advanced laser materials processing through TRL4-6.”

Further information on advances in production and process laser cells can be seen at http://www.cyan-tec.com.

About the MTC

The MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) has been established to prove innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions. The MTC provides a high quality environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, providing a unique opportunity for manufacturers to develop new and innovative processes and technologies in a low risk environment.

The areas of MTC’s technology focus are appropriate to both large and small companies and are applicable across industry sectors. Founder industrial members of the MTC are Rolls-Royce, Aero Engine Controls and Airbus UK and members now include manufacturing companies from a range of diverse industry sectors. Research partners include the University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and TWI Ltd.

MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by the Technology Strategy board.