Farewell to plasma
For more than 30 years, quality has been at the heart of production at Snijtech, based in Joure, the Netherlands. What began as a company focused purely on cutting services has gradually developed into a versatile metalworking specialist. Today, Snijtech combines cutting with sheet metal processing, 2D bending, 3D forming and profile machining, serving customers with everything from individual custom parts to larger projects and complete construction kits.
As the company’s capabilities evolved, so did the requirements placed on its cutting technology. Until recently, Snijtech still operated three plasma cutting machines. However, the composition of its workload had changed considerably: the vast majority of cutting involved thinner sheet material, while a waterjet cutting system was already available for thicker materials. For this production mix, Snijtech saw clear advantages in moving from plasma to fiber laser cutting.
“The vast majority of our cutting work involves thinner sheet material. In addition, we have a water jet cutting machine for thicker material. So we no longer had any need for plasma cutting machines.” says Jacco Klok, Managing Director of Snijtech.
A new generation of cutting technology
When looking for a new laser cutting system, Snijtech evaluated the available solutions on the market together with Wouters Cutting & Welding, MicroStep’s partner in the region. The final choice was a 15 kW MicroStep MSF Pro fiber laser cutting machine.
The system offers a large 12,000 × 3,000 mm working area, giving Snijtech ample capacity for demanding cutting jobs. It is also equipped with an inkjet marking station and an automatic hydraulic exchange table, supporting efficient material handling and part organization throughout production. But cutting power and working area were not the only deciding factors.
Bevel cutting made the difference
One of the capabilities that particularly distinguished the MicroStep solution was its laser bevel cutting technology. The system enables precise weld-edge preparation with laser cutting quality at bevel angles of up to 45°.
The bevel head is designed to compensate for deviations in the X, Y and Z axes, while a calibration station located at the front of the machine is used to compensate for mechanical deviations. This combination helps maintain the accuracy required for demanding bevel-cutting applications.
As Nic Wouters, Managing Director of Wouters Cutting & Welding, explains:
“The bevel head corrects deviations in the X, Y and Z axes. At the front of the machine is the calibration station, which eliminates any mechanical deviations.”
Faster, more efficient cutting for Snijtech’s production mix
The transition to fiber laser technology gives Snijtech a cutting process better suited to the thinner sheet materials that make up the majority of its work. Compared with the plasma technology it replaced, the new laser system provides the speed and efficiency the company was looking for while adding advanced bevel-cutting capabilities to its production portfolio.
With the new 15 kW MSF Pro, Snijtech combines high-power laser cutting, a large-format working area, automated material handling, marking and sophisticated weld-edge preparation in one system, further extending the range of work the company can perform for its customers.
The investment gives Snijtech exactly what it was looking for: modern laser technology combined with the flexibility to handle both everyday production and more demanding cutting applications. As Wouters Cutting & Welding summarizes the result, the new machine gives Snijtech the technological edge it was seeking.
