Engineering Subcontractor - July 2021 - Volume 18 - Issue 7

Sep 4, 2026

FC Laser invests in expanded production capacity to support sustained growth in British manufacturing, focusing on doubling its Derbyshire facility, new laser cutting equipment, and building a centralized site to improve efficiency and customer service. The issue also highlights digitisation of sheet metal production with Lantek Germany’s platform approach, explaining how integrated software enables manufacturers using laser, plasma, oxy-fuel, and waterjet technologies to move toward Industry 4.0. Additional sections cover machining, metal cutting, deep hole drilling, tooling, CAD/CAM, measurement, laser cutting, metal forming, welding, and future issue preview topics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

NEWS

A pioneer in digitisation of sheet metal production

MEDICAL REPORT

FEATURE-MACHINING CENTRES

METAL CUTTING

FEATURE-DEEP HOLE DRILLING

TOOLING & WORKHOLDING

FEATURE-CADCAM

MEASUREMENT & INSPECTION

FEATURE-LASER CUTTING

METAL FORMING

SPECIAL REPORT-NEEDHAM LASER TECHNOLOGIES

WELDING

NEXT ISSUE-SEPTEMBER 2021

‘FC Laser see a bright future for British manufacturing’ FC Laser discuss growth in a pandemic, the investment made to double their Derbyshire production facility and how they see the future of British Manufacturing t: 01159 443428 e: [sales@fclaser.co.uk](sales@fclaser.co.uk) w: www.fclaser.co.uk THE NEW QTE series with Mazatrol SmoothEz COMPACT MACHINES DESIGNED FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED TURNED PARTS 7XUQLQJ 3URGXFWLYLW\ LQWR 3URȨW The new high performance QTE series turning centres are equipped with new SmoothEz CNC control developed for easy setup, operation HUK THJOPUPUN [V OLSW `V\ [\YU `V\Y WYVK\J[PVU PU[V WYVÄ[Z􀀕 Discover how we can help you deliver more. Call +44 (0) 1905 755 755 or email [info@mazak.co.uk](info@mazak.co.uk) Easy SmoothEz features for unsurpassed ease of operation. [www.mazakeu.co.uk/QTE](www.mazakeu.co.uk/QTE) VOLUME 18| No.7 ISSN 1742-5778 Visit our website at: [www.engineeringsubcontractor.com](www.engineeringsubcontractor.com) CONTENTS NEWS 4 MEDICAL REPORT 6 FEATURE-MACHINING CENTRES 8 METAL CUTTING 14 FEATURE-DEEP HOLE DRILLING 18 TOOLING & WORKHOLDING 22 FEATURE-CADCAM 30 MEASUREMENT & INSPECTION 34 FEATURE-LASER CUTTING 36 METAL FORMING 46 SPECIAL REPORT-NEEDHAM LASER TECHNOLOGIES 48 WELDING 50 NEXT ISSUE-SEPTEMBER 2021 • EMO 2021 PREVIEW • AEROSPACE REPORT • AUTOMATION • MEASUREMENT & INSPECTION • WATERJET MACHINING • WORKHOLDING Published by Roger Barber Publishing Enterprise House, Foundry Lane, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5PX Tel: 01403 266022 Publisher/Editor: John Barber-01403 266022 Email: [john@rbpublishing.co.uk](john@rbpublishing.co.uk) Accounts: Jackie Barber-01403 563791 Production manager: Anna Rodrigues-01472 210712 Email: [studio@rbpublishing.co.uk](studio@rbpublishing.co.uk) Design & Production: Roger Barber Publishing Print: Holbrooks Printers Ltd, Portsmouth, Hampshire Engineering Subcontractor is mailed to a controlled circulation of readers with a legitimate interest in the content. Roger Barber Publishing stores all business data securely and does not share with third parties. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission. COVER STORY “The future is bright for British manufacturing” Confident words from FC Laser managing director Danny Fantom, backed up by the investment the company is making into its production facility, machinery and Team FC Why has FC Laser decided now is the right time to invest in the expansion of its production facilities? Danny Fantom explains: “The company has been growing organically for the past nine years, we currently operate over three sites, so it makes sense to invest now to bring all of our divisions together to maximise efficiencies enhancing the future growth of our business.” Operations manager Daryl Lowe adds: “Our operating capacity has had to grow in line with customer demand. We invested in a second 12 kW Bystar Laser cutter, our fourth Bystar in total in January to keep up with demand. With business operations running 24/7 since the summer of 2019, the further investment in the tower racking system and addition of a second tube laser is essential to manage and exceed our customers’ expectations.” FC Laser has invested heavily in an additional 20,000 sq ft of manufacturing space to accommodate its forecasted growth. The current head office of FC Laser, based in Ilkeston, has begun site clearing and the foundations of a second building running parallel to the M1 motorway are underway. With the tube division currently operating just over a mile away at the Quarry Hill industrial estate and a temporary site created for their ongoing project with Sapphire Balconies, the plan was made in 2020 to bring all operations to one site, further enhancing the production synergy throughout the business. The company has created a production facility which maximises efficiencies and delivers customers the co

FAQs

Why did FC Laser decide to invest in expanding its production facilities now?

The company has grown organically over nine years, operating across multiple sites, so consolidating divisions now improves efficiency and supports future business growth.

What equipment did FC Laser add to meet rising customer demand?

FC Laser invested in a second 12 kW Bystar Laser cutter and expanded supporting systems such as tower racking and additional laser capacity to manage operations 24/7.

What is the key idea behind Lantek Germany’s platform solution for sheet metal production?

It provides an efficient alternative to fragmented software islands by enabling communication across manufacturing areas, supporting an integrated digital system toward Industry 4.0.

Sep 4, 2026

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