IFH Group West installs laser/punch system

The IFH Group West has installed an integrated Prima LPe6f 4000-W fiber laser with a 30-ton punch at its Arlington, Wash., facility.

The 61-station, 30-ton servo-electric turret punch press has a 4,000-W IPG fiber laser. It processes 60- by 120-in. sheets up to 0.315 in. thick. The turret features an upforming station for processing high formed features and can cut 16-ga. mild steel at about 590 IPM. Connected to the machine is a loading and stacking robot and a two-sided tower that holds raw sheet metal, parts, and material skeletons.

Replacing a stand-alone laser cutting system and three metal punches, the new system has reduced project setup times while increasing the company’s capacity and technical capabilities in fabricating custom electrical enclosures and precision sheet metal parts.

“With this in place, we can now deliver prototypes and one-off or two-off projects with very quick turnaround—much shorter than a typical three- or four-week lead time,” said Ryan McCarty, vice president of sales and marketing.