According to the Office for National Statistics, the Manufacturing industry’s output fell by 1.1% in the last quarter of 2019, yet the Construction industry stabilised. In fact, it’s estimated that Construction output increased by 0.5% from Quarter 3. This growth reflects the strength of the Construction sector, and is encouraging for developers involved in new projects, especially in private commercial and public housing.
In particular, London and the South East is forecasted to have above average productivity in 2020, bucking the trend compared to the rest of the UK. With this demand in mind, UK Construction companies must adopt new, innovative solutions to streamline their work and stay ahead of competitors.
Laser cutting and press braking has transformed the way the Construction sector operates, providing a modern, effective solution in the production of metal parts.
Now, with the fourth industrial revolution upon us, the automative capabilities of modern laser cutting technologies are set to take the Construction industry to new heights, playing an integral part in revolutionising the way vital infrastructure is built.
From cost cutting to time and energy saving, we explore the role laser cutting technology plays in the innovation of UK construction:
Cutting time and cost
Construction companies have to make smart decisions to remain competitive in the landscape of ‘Industry 4.0’. To keep costs down and productivity up, many businesses are now turning to laser cutting and press braking solutions to improve the speed of production and increase operational control.
Laser cutting and press braking provides speedy solutions for companies that require a high volume of parts for a large-scale project, and likewise for one-off jobs that require a higher level of intricacy.
Using all manner of metals
Thanks to the advanced technologies in laser cutting, construction companies can now experiment with metals aside from steel, at varying thicknesses that were not previously conceivable. In fact, laser cutting can deliver anything from simple to complex parts in small to large batches.
State-of-the-art laser cutting machinery can handle an impressively wide range of material thicknesses, from 0.5mm right up to 30mm - depending on your desired metal. As well as stainless steel and mild steel, which are most commonly relied upon in the industry for building materials, laser cutting also makes it possible to cut non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, brass and copper with ease.
Taking tech to the next level
Architects and construction teams will continue to take advantage of digital transformations in 2020. As cities modernise, with the aesthetics of the buildings and landscape being an important part of the process, construction projects are becoming even more complex throughout the UK. Construction project planners are relying on experts that can outsource bespoke part production for unique designs and structural builds.
Combined with software and programming, advanced laser cutting technologies are helping architects and construction teams improve designs and detect any errors.
From hand drawing to calculating data and computing CAD/CAM drawings, laser cutting specialists can help architects and construction teams get their project briefs together. With an extensive range of tools and state-of-the-art software on the market, laser cutting can provide the latest innovations to make the unimaginable come alive, all while remaining accurate, compliant and on budget.
A range of innovative software is available to calculate cutting plans and bending processes with optimum accuracy, and even the most complex designs can be executed by powerful 10kw Bystronic Fiber Lasers. Intricate or identical parts can be produced with to-the-millimetre accuracy, so the Construction industry can rely upon being provided with the parts needed for the soundest of structures.
Constructing a greener world
With environmental concerns topping the public agenda and many companies setting carbon footprint reduction targets, the construction industry is having to make considerable efforts to optimise energy efficiency and improve sustainability going forward.
Laser cutting and press braking provide an energy efficient production solution for construction companies, as it not only cuts down their carbon footprint, but also reduces metal waste.
Using nitrogen, oxygen, scan and air, modern laser cutting processes use much less energy when cutting metal compared to other solutions. These machines have been developed to reduce electric power consumption by up to 30% during use compared to other industry equipment, which ultimately results in further cost savings for the customer.
If you require high speed laser cutting solutions for your construction project, get in touch with Laser 24 for help and advice.