Customer Successes

On the Double

Willbanks’ introduction of tube and pipe to their service offerings included simple saw and miter cutting. Since upgrading to laser technology with Mazak's FG-220 FIBER and FG-400 NEO, Willbanks has expanded their tube and pipe processing capabilities. The team can now process a range of material, including rectangular, square, channel, wide flange, angle, and flat bar. Additional features like tapping, miter, stitch, and bevel cutting of steel, aluminum, and galvanized material have further enhanced Willbanks’ service offerings. Partnering with Mazak has proven to be instrumental in the successful implementation of the tube lasers and has given leaders confidence in Mazak when considering future growth.

First Choice

Located forty miles south of Sacramento, Lodi is known for its abundant vineyards and grape production. Naturally, community residents and local businesses contribute to the substantial agricultural industry that supports the growing city. Family owned and operated, Acampo Machine Works is one of those companies—manufacturing vineyard and orchard equipment for the local farm community. Until recently, laser cutting was one process the company outsourced to a trusted supplier. As lead times for these laser-cut parts increased, the team considered bringing laser cutting in-house. Implementing the new OPTIPLEX NEXUS laser-cutting machine and high-pressure air system from Mazak has resulted in cost savings, quicker turnaround times, and new business opportunities. Creating top of the line machinery requires top of the line equipment and support from a trusted partner, and the Acampo team has found that in Mazak.

Together Success

In the Ditch Towing Products, Fish Fighter Products, RazorBack Offroad and Inventive Products make up Inventive-Group. One company, four brands is the slogan that defines the business. Inventive-Group operates out of 87,000 square feet of space in Mountain Home, Idaho—with 65,000 square feet designated for manufacturing and 22,000 square feet for office space. The Inventive-Group team switched to Mazak as their laser partner after reevaluating the relationship with their previous laser provider. Finding a partner that aligns with their business philosophy and goals so well has been integral for innovation. The team at Inventive-Group is happy with their decision to partner with Mazak. They know they can count on Mazak’s team when the need arises and look forward to succeeding together.

Taking the Lead

Manufacturing is the mainstay of many businesses operating in the Midwest, and Right Angle Steel is no exception. With several metal fabrication job shops located near the company’s headquarters in Nappanee, IN, remaining competitive is a must. President, Josh Cook, shares “we like taking jobs that other centers turn down.” Intent on keeping the company’s manufacturing process up to date, Cook began looking at solutions that would increase production output. Today, Right Angle Steel operates out of a newly built 100,000 square foot facility serving the RV, trailer, automotive, and heavy equipment industries. Four fully automated flat sheet laser cells and a tube laser—Mazak’s OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER S4, 2–OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER III 10kW, OPTIPLEX 3015 6kW, and FT-150 FIBER—fabricate everything from small laser-cut parts to large, welded assemblies.

Partners for Decades

Co-Line Welding Inc., maintains 375,000-plus sq. ft. of manufacturing facilities in Lynnville, IA, with 215 employees providing a host of metal sheet, plate and tube fabrication, and assembly services. Parts and products make their way to agricultural, construction, automotive, and other industries in North America. In 2003, the desire to bring back some outsourced laser cutting led the company to Mazak Optonics and was the beginning of a long-term laser-equipment relationship. Today, the investment in tube, sheet, and plate cutting in particular has yielded Co-Line a roster of 14 Mazak Optonics machines, including 4-, 7-, 8- and 10-kW laser cutters. Co-Line will add to its laser cutting offerings, with three 15-kW OptiPlex 3015 NEO 2D machines slated for install.

Maintaining Relevance

Southwest Welding started out as a custom welding and repair shop almost 40 years ago in Southwest, Indiana. At the time, the company serviced and repaired equipment for local agricultural and industrial businesses from their 1500-square-foot facility. However, the company’s focus soon shifted—from offering repairs to providing fabrication services. Partnering with Mazak has proven to be advantageous for Southwest Welding—by increasing efficiency, expanding capabilities, and improving part quality.

Achieving Accuracy

Founded in 1986, Springfield Sign began as a small garage-based shop focused on screen printing and vinyl signs. Today, Springfield Sign is a full-service national sign company. With extensive experience creating signs for major players in the restaurant, food/service, and retail industries, leaders at Springfield Sign understand the importance of preserving a brand’s image. However, the CNC router that they were using to construct signs was not meeting their expectations—as it was limited in its ability to make precise cuts. With Mazak’s OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER 6kW, LASER FLEX automation system, and FT-150 FIBER the company has been able to secure new business, reduce secondary processes, bring cutting in-house, and maximize productivity.

Expanding the Product Mix at Plimetal

Plimetal Inc. is a Montreal-based shop founded in 1986 that specializes in laser cutting and bending for a variety of industries in Quebec. The shop works in steel, aluminum, and stainless steel and cuts both sheet and tube. A lot of the company’s work is custom, which involves producing one-offs as quickly as possible. In 2019 the company installed a Mazak 4 kW FABRI GEAR CO2 tube laser. The FABRI GEAR has not only helped Plimetal, but also their customers. While Plimetal has gained a new range of customers, their customers have also benefitted with reduced prices thanks to Mazak's FABRI GEAR.

Fiber Laser Facilitates New Business

Operating out of Greenville, MI and Elkhart, IN, FabX Industries serves a wide range of customers as the parent company of Aquest Machining, Elite Precision Machining & Tooling, Steel Harbor and LaserTec Sheet Metal Fab. Together, these companies provide machining and fabrication services to several industries—including fenestration, automotive, marine, furniture, medical, aerospace, and recreational vehicle. About two years ago, company leaders decided to branch out and serve customers that were outsourcing their laser cutting. During the research process, FabX was drawn to Mazak and ultimately decided to purchase the OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER 4kW, OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER 6kW, and OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER S7. The quality of cut on Mazak’s machines has been integral for meeting the product standards set by leaders at FabX, and they look forward to expanding their operations with Mazak as their laser partner.

Service Center Growth Requires Second FABRI GEAR

Service Steel has been serving the needs of fabricators and manufacturers for 100 years. Founded in Detroit, the company started off exclusively supplying the automotive industry. Today, Service Steel has five branches across the United States and proudly serves several different industries. East Moline, Illinois is home to one of the company’s branches which predominantly services agricultural equipment manufacturers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Kansas. Service Steel purchased its first tube laser, Mazak’s 3D FABRI GEAR 400 II, in 2015 to efficiently process the company’s diverse product offerings. An increase in demand led the company to begin vetting the possibility of adding a second tube laser. Since implementing the second FABRI GEAR tube laser, Service Steel has been able to take on additional business, bring work back in-house, and handle the influx of seasonal work.

Tilling New Ground

In 2012 growth prompted Orthman Manufacturing to think about expanding its plant and investing in new equipment like a fiber laser. Purchase plans idled until Orthman Manufacturing opened its new 115,000-square-foot production plant in 2016. By 2018 the company was outsourcing $2.5 million in laser cut parts in addition to other parts its’ fabrication shop couldn’t process. After discovering the advantages of high performance air-cutting, Orthman Manufacturing Inc. changed their order from a Mazak OPTIPLEX FIBER III 8kW to an OPTIPLEX FIBER III 10kW paired with a high-performance dry air system. Orthman Manufacturing also sourced a Mazak M-Series automation system tailored to its needs. The M-Series offered a compact footprint while optimizing the manufacturer’s ceiling height with a 20-shelf tower. The fabricator also wanted to run the machine lights out so they added over/under carts.

Upgrading to Fiber

Demco, a family-owned business in its third generation, has roots going back to 1950. The family has witnessed many advancements over the years and recently, they’ve jumped from CO2 to fiber lasers, and the benefits have been exceptional. The fabricator determined that two Mazak OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER 8kW laser machines would suffice to advance operations. The decision to implement an automation solution dealt more complexities than the decision to upgrade machines. Mazak’s M-Series systems feature a small footprint and highly customizable configurations. M-Series of automation is a flexible thanks to a wide variety of peripheral devices and functions that expand the range of applications, including conveyors, over/under carts and labelers.

A Recipe of Success for Royal Range

Since 1995, Royal Range of California has been serving up high-quality commercial restaurant equipment. Offering an extensive line of ranges, ovens, fryers and countertop cooking equipment, Royal Range’s commercial kitchen equipment has stood the test of time. Originally, Royal Range was using a punch machine and shear to cut sheet metal for all its product lines. Adding a 2kW and 4kW OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER laser machines and a high-performance air cutting system were the secret ingredients to Royal Range’s recipe for continued growth.

TMI Climate Solutions Punches Out

From the concept stage through the manufacturing process, TMI Climate Solutions, based out of Holly, Mi, manages the full scope of modular climate solutions process by offering construction management, maintenance programs and on-site analysis to give customers a complete solution. TMI’s sheet metal operations previously involved six people running shears and two older turret punches. After fully vetting a range of options, TMI decided on a Mazak 4-kW OPTIPLEX 4020 DDL laser with a Mazak MCS automation solution with dual towers, totaling 27 shelves.

Dual Laser Operation Increases Cutting Capacity

From mom-and-pop shop to a full-service manufacturing operation, US Metal Crafters has reinvented its business. Offering services for laser cutting, metal stamping, roll forming, fabrication, assembly, and an in-house tool and die shop, US Metal Crafters is one of the few American manufacturers that can offer this wide of a range of fabrication services. US Metal Crafters was previously operating a CO2 laser from the '90s and upgraded to the OPTIPLEX CHAMPION 3015 FIBER laser. Only six months later, a high-power OPTIPLEX FIBER III 8kW laser was also added to the production facility. US Metal Crafters is now running a dual laser operation and has increased part throughput.

EM Dynamics Aims to be a Cut Above

Not only does Toronto based, EM Dynamics offer exceptional work as a company, the fabricator also sets the standard on how to give back to the communities that matter most. Not only does the company offer exceptional work, it also set the standard on how to give back to the communities that matter most. Learn about how the EMD's OPTIPLEX FIBER III 8kW has experienced immediate results and how they give back to the communities that mean most.

How Shickel Corp. Continues to Be the Most Trusted Name in Custom Metal Products

To be the most trusted name in design, fabrication and installation of custom metal products. That is the vision of Shickel Corporation based out of Bridgewater, Virginia. With over 80 years of quality and service, Shickel Corp. excels in metal project coordination, design, fabrication, polishing, coating, logistics, and installations. The company started out with the purchase of a 2.5kW CO2 laser cutting machine but just a few year later upgraded to an OPTIPLEX FIBER 8kW laser-cutting machine with a dual pallet shuttle table.

Kloeckner Metals Upgrades from CO2 to Fiber Laser with Automation

Kloeckner Metals is one of the largest metals manufacturing, supply and service companies in North America offers anything from long products, flat rolled products, aluminum and stainless. After running two 15 year old CO2 lasers, they decided to upgrade to an automated Mazak fiber laser system. The OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER and EMC automation have increased Kloeckner's cutting capabilities with also being able to get more down with less.

Conveying Cost Savings

Since 1907, Flexco, a global leader in conveyor belt systems, has been helping its customers maximize productivity by manufacturing mechanical fastener systems, belt cleaners, transfer chutes and maintenance rolls. Flexco has continuously looked to expand its collection of advanced manufacturing solutions to further increase productivity and meet production requirements. After researching, attending demonstrations and considering the options, Flexco selected the Mazak OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER 6kW machine. While the laser has improved efficiency through time, money, manpower and secondary processes, it has also improved in-house machinery usage.

Maximum Range for Maximum Throughput

MC3 Manufacturing, located in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada, designs and builds conveyors, filtration productions and chip conveyors while also offering custom fabrication productions. MC3 puts an emphasis on having the right systems in place to offer the best possible value to all customer orders. They do this by continuously working to improve processes by implementing new practices and equipment. Most recently they purchased a FABRI GEAR 400 4kW tube laser processing machine for better accuracy and faster turnaround. Learn more about the results MC3 has seen since implementing their FABRI GEAR III.

The Fruits of COE's Labors

COE Orchard Equipment (COE) is a manufacturer of harvesting equipment used for tree fruit, nut and olive crops based out of Northern California. COE’s harvesting equipment is state of the art and requires innovative technology in their manufacturing processes to match their company’s quality. Since implementing the OPTIPLEX 4020 FIBER 8kW, life at COE couldn’t be more fruitful.

Stainless Steel Fabricator Upgrades to Fiber Laser Technology

Custom Kitchen Fabricator is a custom stainless steel manufacturer with commercial and residential clients. Their motto is, “if you want it in stainless, we can do it.” The OPTIPLEX CHAMPION 3015 FIBER 3kW fit the bill for their fabricating needs. Their new laser-cutting machine allows them to do all the cutting in less than one day and gives them better material utilization.

Custom Systems OEM Speeds Up Production

Belco Industries is a custom systems OEM which makes extrusion equipment, finishing systems, industrial parts washers and drying ovens. Previously Belco had a 2.5kW CO2 laser from Laser Lab, but it was 20 years old. Chris Stewart, Belco's manufacturing engineer, knew that the answer was to get a new laser to meet their specific criteria. Stewart required a laser that had proven itself in the industry and decided on the Mazak OPTIPLEX FIBER III 8kW laser-cutting machine. Since implementing the OPTIPLEX FIBER 8kW there have been many benefits for Belco including reduced bottleneck. They are now able to produce more parts and cut thicker materials quicker with their new Mazak high-powered laser.

Logan Steel's Laser Opens New Doors

Steel service center, Logan Steel, increases capabilities and orders with Mazak fiber laser. Logan Steel is a second-generation, family owned steel service center in Meriden, Connecticut that adds value to raw material. Logan steel continues to grow with their customers and adding value. The new OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER 6kW laser was a way to open more doors to new work with the increased speed, tight tolerance and higher accuracy. It was the natural progression for Logan Steel’s customer base which drives their business.

Creating Efficiency

One of Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing companies is based out of Vidalia, Louisiana owned by a brother duo called Southern Designs and Gifts. Tance Hughes, Founder and CEO, and his brother partner Seth Hughes, who runs production, are duet who manufacture home décor which could already be hanging in your home. In 2013 the company began making wall art with four CNC plasma tables. The four plasma machines were running 24 hours a day but just couldn’t keep up. After doing their due diligence and attending FABTECH, Southern Design decided to go with the Mazak OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER 6kW laser-cutting machine.

Laser Creates Single-Piece Part Flow

Percival Scientific of Perry, Iowa does more than you think. Being a leader in the manufacture of environmental growth chambers, or incubators, means they are changing the world of agriculture. With long term view in mind, Jesse Smith, Director of Manufacturing at Pervical, knew the cutting department wouldn’t be able to keep up with space and labor constraints. In 2016, Percival purchased their first laser which was a 2kW OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER. Implementing dynamic nesting and a low batch process style to single-piece part flow, the new software and laser weren’t the only changes to their fabricating.

Direct Diode Laser Technology Provides a New Blueprint for Metal Design Systems Growth

Direct Diode Laser technology allows Metal Design Systems higher throughput with near-perfect edge quality while also allowing the company to expand their capabilities and increase their opportunities. Continuously incorporating new methodology into their systems, MDSI works to add innovative features and installation improvement. One of their most recent additions was the purchase of a Mazak OPTIPLEX 4020 DDL laser cutting-machine.

Leading the Way

Siouxland Fabrication Inc. is a complete fabrication job shop. Going from prints to finished assembled products, they do it all. Started in 2004, Siouxland was already an experienced fabricator and they continue to run on experience. Siouxland has a variety of Mazak lasers, totally eight different lasers all in some sort of automation cells ranging from configurations with one to three machines in each cell. Siouxland was looking to increase capacity and enter into the light gauge market. Their decision was to upgrade to a Mazak OPTIPLEX 3015 DDL with a LASER FLEX automation system with tower, unloading to the floor and shuttle cart.

Blazing the Trail for Mobility

Action Manufacturing started out in the recreational motor sports business but in 2008, 10 years after his son’s accident which left him paralyzed, Tim Swenson knew he need to get his son back into the outdoors again. Now Swenson focuses on the all-terrain wheelchair. Now having sold over 3,500 Action Manufacturing knew a more efficient and accurate system needed to be put in place. Now, with the OPTIPLEX FIBER 4kW laser Action Manufacturing is now engineering their products around the laser's capabilities.

Perfect Machine for Future Opportunities

Uni-Structures, based in Kennesaw, Georgia fabricates drive-thru components to the quick-service restaurants (QSR) industry. Ultimately Uni-Structures was looking for something that would give them the capabilities they needed today, but would also allow for the most growth potential tomorrow. The Mazak OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER opened up so many more opportunities. They were able to consider what other products Uni-Structures could offer their customers. The laser cutting system has allowed them to get ahead and stay ahead.

Hitting The Boom

Prescient Co. Inc., a technology and manufacturing company offering a faster, greener and more cost-effective alternative to conventional building structures, the company is well positioned to see continued success in 2018. Prescient invested in the 3D FABRI GEAR 220 which is now used in all of the company's projects. The fabricator was able to bring cutting in-house because of the FABRI GEAR’s range of capabilities and because of that, quality has also improved. The machine is much more accurate allowing for repeatability and high-quality parts.

Marcon Metalfab Increases Opportunities with Innovation Investments

Marcon Metalfab in Delta, British Columbia, Canada excels in metal fabrication for the transportation, building construction and utilities industries. From design to installation Marcon does it all. Marcon invests in technology that can improve its speed of delivery. Each machine has its place but none magically changes the way the shop works. Marcon has an array of technologies which include a Mazak 3D FABRI GEAR 400 tube laser cutting system and recently added a Mazak OPTIPLEX 4020 Fiber 6kW.

B&W Trailer Hitches becomes first to market since implementing FABRI GEAR 220

The FABRI GEAR 220 has allowed B&W Trailer Hitches to be the first-to-market with the aftermarket gooseneck hitch for the Aluminum-Body 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty. B&W was able to design, test and release a gooseneck hitch within the matter of days after the trucks were delivered to the dealerships due to the FABRI GEAR. This process is now being done on a Mazak chip machine. This process would have takes a couple weeks compared to a couple days if they started on a chip machine.

FR Conversions Advances their Mobility due to Mazak Fiber Laser and Automation Solution

People with disabilities are making less money yet they are stuck paying a higher price to purchase a mobility vehicle. The cost for a disability van ranges from $40,000 to upwards of $100,000. This is where Eliyahu Rosenbloom found his niche. After researching and visiting multiple laser manufacturers with laser-cutting and automation solutions ranging from $600,000 to $5 million, Rosenbloom decided on the Mazak OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER with a 24-shelf compact vertical flexible manufacturing system for FR Conversions.

ThermoEnergy Systems Custom Greenhouses Grow Thanks to FABRI GEAR

Since 2005 Thermo Energy Systems Inc. has been providing complete turnkey systems for the greenhouse industry covering everything from the ground up. ThermoEnergy needed a solution that allowed for more flexibility with designing instead of buying more dies and punches. They also had a three man team to perform the tube and pipe cutting which was much more physical labor than necessary. Due to the accuracy, robustness and flexibility, ThermoEnergy landed on the 3D FABRI GEAR 400.

Yellow Goat Design Pushes Their Creativity Limits Thanks to Laser Technology

Yellow Goat needed to cut 1/2 mm thick aluminum and a high-quality polished edge on acrylic. They focused on a CO2 laser to get the best cut quality. But when it came down to picking a laser, the OPTIPLEX NEXUS was the one because Mazak's products, prices and service are all top of the line.

OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER Puts the Pedal to the Metal for RealWheels

RealWheels started looking at a new CO2 machine, but when they saw the fiber lasers, they knew that was truly what they needed. After extensive research, RealWheels realized that the OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER was the laser-cutting machine for them having all the bells and whistles but still at an economical price.

Mazak Helps Teach Customer Service

OMT-Veyhl USA Corp. located in Holland, Michigan manufactures ergonomic office furniture, work stations and conveyors. Dan Shaw, Vice President of Operations, took a trip to Japan to learn about Mazak customer service and manufacturing. OMT-Veyhl USA now has two OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER machines that have improve their company by reductions in electrical usage, reductions in maintenance services, and increased speed of cutting products which created higher throughput.

Constantly Changing LED Technology Leads TAMCO to Purchase A Flexible OPTIPLEX FIBER

With the lighting industry hitting the LED revolution, the technology is always changing. TAMCO needed a machine that was flexible enough to change with the LED technology. In the lighting industry, there is no downtime allowed so with fiber's easier maintenance was just what TAMCO needed. TAMCO purchased a Mazak OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER 2kW laser. TAMCO is now able to do the necessary product development while also having the flexibility to do smaller orders and custom designs. Another benefit of having the fiber laser is that the fabricator is now able to make revisions on the fly fixing them within a matter of minutes.

Sjoberg Tool & Mfg. relies on Mazak lasers to keep giving customers the highest level of service

Sjoberg Tool and Manufacturing is a family owned job shop, celebrating their 40th anniversary, located in Hartland, Wisconsin. Still owned and operated by members of the Sjoberg family, has been a long time supporter of Mazak laser technology and decided to invest in their fist fiber laser. The fabricator purchased the OPTIPLEX 3015 FIBER 4kW laser. With the new fiber technology, Sjoberg learned about the increase in speed that fiber delivers compared to CO2. Sjoberg's new OPTIPLEX FIBER is cutting 10-guage steel at twice the rate of the CO2 laser. The fiber is even quicker in light-gauge materials. The fiber laser has also taken work away from the turret punching equipment.

Superior Tube's FABRI GEAR 400 Success

Superior Tube Products Inc. is a family-owned contract manufacturer that specializes in the fabrication of metal tube and pipe, parts and assemblies. Read about how the FABRI GEAR 400 has improved their business.

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