Contract manufacturer expands process capabilities with addition of laser

Situation

Eighteen years ago Lee Batzel decided to step out of the corporate world and take his destiny into his own hands. Inspired by his earlier days welding and metalworking by his father’s side, Batzel started Galaxy Manufacturing in the industrially rich area of his native northeastern Pennsylvania with his uncle. Today the company has grown to 40 employees and is one of the top OEMs of pencil brushes for the world’s oil and gas pipeline cleaning industry.

Despite the existing success that comes from supplying to global conglomerates like Exxon and Saudi Aramco, Batzel continuously reinvests into Galaxy’s contract manufacturing and custom fabricating division to serve the local and regional markets as well.

While Galaxy is known for its patented design of pipe cleaning, or “pigging,” brushes, its expertise doesn’t stop there.

“Our knowledge in multiple facets of this industry is a major benefit because we can support a variety of businesses and customers that have different needs,” Batzel shared.

The company’s services include machining, full-scale custom fabricating, defense subcontracting, and production runs. It also offers collaborative research and development resources. And while its existing machine shop operation was providing effective results, something was missing.

“We wanted to invest in a high-quality laser that was flexible and had specific high-production capabilities,” explained Batzel.

Resolution

Together with Devin Martin, a sales representative from machine tool distributor Mid Atlantic Machinery, Galaxy Manufacturing evaluated what machine would best address current and future clients’ needs. The high-production, diverse shop environment needed a cutting system that was accurate and versatile.

After careful consideration, Galaxy chose a TRUMPF TruLaser 2030 3-kW laser. It features a 60- by 120-in. working range and a TruDisk solid-state laser, all with the same cutting unit, which saves setup time and increases throughput. Designed for a variety of applications, the laser reduced the company’s cut time for its parts from 21 to 2 minutes.

“The TruLaser 2030 is what we needed to enhance our total operation,” reported Batzel. “We are looking forward to taking on new projects.”

The laser joins a number of other machines, including a TRUMPF TruPunch 2020, which can punch up to ¼-in.-thick sheet and workpieces up to 330 lbs.; an Ercolina angle roll machine with 3-in. Sch. 40 pipe or 3-1/2-in. tube capacity; waterjet; press brake; and three CNC lathes and four CNC machining centers.

With the addition of the laser, Galaxy Manufacturing is set to continue supporting the local and global manufacturing industry through contract manufacturing on jobs big and small.