First UK 4m x 2m 6kW Esprit Photon Lite installation
6kW 4m x 2m Fibre Laser Cutting Arriving Soon
Wards Welding & Fabrications will soon be offering fibre laser cutting from our new Esprit Automation 6kW 4m x 2m fibre laser. The machine is due to be installed in the next few weeks and will give customers a faster route for accurate sheet, plate, bracket, panel and fabrication-ready component cutting.
This new capacity is not live just yet, but we are already taking enquiries for upcoming laser cutting work. Send your drawings, DXF files, quantities and material requirements, and we can help prepare your quote before the machine is fully installed.
fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes from Wards Welding & Fabrications
Wards Welding & Fabrications is introducing the first UK installation of Esprit Automation's new 4m x 2m 6kW Photon HD fibre laser. It gives customers a faster route for accurate sheet and plate profiles, brackets, panels, guards, frames, production parts and fabrication-ready components. For fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, send drawings, DXF files, material notes or a sketch and we will help turn the requirement into a practical quote.
Plan your fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes project
This page explains what the new Esprit Photon HD machine adds, what work it suits, how the manual loading layout helps production, what information to send, and how Wards can support the full job after cutting.
fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes with new 6kW 4m x 2m capacity
Our new fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes capability is built around an Esprit Automation Photon HD fibre laser with a 6kW source and a 4m x 2m cutting bed. That format is important for industrial buyers because it suits larger sheets, longer profiles and nested batches that are awkward on smaller machines. It gives Wards a stronger route for accurate profiles before folding, machining, welding or assembly.
The aim is simple: reduce outsourcing, improve lead time control and give customers one accountable supplier for cut parts and fabricated work. You can use us for flat profiles only, or you can ask us to manage the next stages through our existing workshop. That matters when a laser cut part needs fold lines, tapped holes, weld prep, jigs, fit-up or a finished assembly.
For local buyers searching for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, the value is not just the machine. It is the practical production support around the machine. We can look at tolerances, material choice, drawing format, quantity breaks, edge quality, finishing and packaging before the job reaches the shop floor.
First UK 4m x 2m 6kW Esprit Photon HD at Wards
Wards Welding & Fabrications is proud to be the first UK company to take this 4m x 2m 6kW Photon HD fibre laser from Esprit Automation. That matters because it gives our customers access to a large-format, modern cutting setup from a UK-based automation specialist, supported by a workshop that already understands fabrication, machining and production work.
The manual loading access is a key part of why we chose this machine. It allows sheets to be loaded by the team quickly, keeps the cutting area practical for real workshop use, and helps us keep production moving instead of waiting on slow material handling. For urgent, repeat or mixed-batch work, that flow can make a real difference.
Customers using fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes will be able to send us sheet metal profiles, development parts, repeat brackets, panels, plates and fabrication kits. The new Esprit machine gives us greater control over lead times and makes Wards a stronger single-source supplier for cut, folded, welded and finished metalwork.
You can read more about the manufacturer on the Esprit Automation website. We are happy to link back to Esprit because this investment is a positive step for Wards, our customers and UK fabrication capacity.
Esprit Photon HD heavy-duty fibre laser specification
The brochure describes the Photon HD as a heavy-duty, large-format fibre laser designed and manufactured in the UK. Esprit states that the machine uses tool-grade linear bearing guidance, powerful digital drives and precision transmissions to deliver high performance and cut quality on large-format machines.
For Wards, the important point is production flow. The 4m x 2m bed gives us large sheet capacity, while the heavy-duty table and manual loading access help the team move material quickly and keep fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes jobs moving through the workshop.
6kW material capacity
For the 6kW source, the Photon HD brochure lists up to 20/25mm mild steel, 18/20mm stainless steel, 12/15mm aluminium and 6/8mm copper or brass, shown as production / maximum thickness. Final suitability will always depend on the material grade, gas, finish and customer requirement.
Fast motion platform
The Photon HD brochure lists 140m/min maximum X-Y vector velocity and 1g acceleration. This supports productive profiling and repeat cutting when drawings, nesting and material handling are planned correctly.
UK-built support
Esprit states the Photon HD is manufactured entirely in the UK using UK and European components, with spare parts held at its UK manufacturing facility and support from UK and Irish service engineers.
Safety-focused enclosure
The brochure lists CE / UKCA certification, a Class 1 laser-light-safe process area, gantry-mounted enclosure, dual-channel safety interlock switches and an active infrared security system.
Procut and IRIS
The brochure references Esprit Procut CAD/CAM software and IRIS Industry 4.0 monitoring, helping support programming, productivity visibility and production control.
Precision components
The listed component package includes a Precitec Thunder cutting head, Bosch / Rexroth motors and drives, Wittenstein gearboxes, and Wittenstein helical rack and pinion transmission.
| Photon HD item | Brochure detail | Why it matters to Wards customers |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal cut area | 4,000 x 2,000mm machine option | Supports larger sheets, longer panels and efficient nesting for local production work. |
| 6kW cutting guide | Mild steel 20/25mm, stainless 18/20mm, aluminium 12/15mm, copper/brass 6/8mm | Gives a practical range for sheet and plate enquiries, subject to job-specific checks. |
| Motion | 140m/min vector velocity and 1g acceleration | Supports faster profiling and repeat production when the job is properly nested. |
| Build | Designed and manufactured in the UK | Backed by UK manufacturing, service support and spare parts availability. |
| Safety | CE / UKCA, Class 1 process area and enclosure systems | Supports a controlled workshop process for industrial laser cutting. |
Watch the Esprit fibre laser in action
This video shows the Esprit fibre laser cutting concept and helps demonstrate why the investment matters for Wards customers. A modern laser can turn digital geometry into accurate flat parts quickly, which is exactly what is needed for brackets, plates, guards, machine panels, production parts and fabrication kits.
For fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, the video also helps buyers understand why clean programming, nesting and material handling matter. The machine is only one part of the process; the real value comes from using it inside a working fabrication environment where cut parts can move straight into folding, welding, machining or inspection.
Core laser cutting services
Wards can support customers that need accurate flat profiles only, or customers that need a more complete metalwork route after cutting. This makes the new machine useful for purchasing teams, engineers, maintenance teams, product builders and fabricators that need responsive support.
Sheet and plate profiling
Accurate cutting for flat components, profiles, blanks, plates and repeat parts from suitable sheet and plate materials.
Large format 4m x 2m cutting
The 4m x 2m bed supports larger components, long profiles and efficient nesting for bigger sheets.
Prototype and development parts
Laser cutting is useful for trial parts, design changes, sample brackets, replacement profiles and early production runs.
Repeat production batches
For repeat work, Wards can cut consistent batches and route parts into folding, welding, machining or packing.
Fabrication kits
Parts can be cut as labelled kits for frames, guards, assemblies, brackets and production metalwork.
Cut, fold, weld and finish
Use Wards as one supplier for profiling, folding, welding, machining and wider fabrication.
Where fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes helps most
The strongest jobs are usually the ones where speed, fit, repeatability and follow-on fabrication all matter. The new machine is especially useful for customers that want clean profiles without losing the support of a fabrication workshop.
Brackets, tabs and gussets
Accurate laser profiles help brackets fit cleanly before drilling, tapping, folding or welding. This is useful for machinery, gates, frames, supports and repair work where repeat parts need to be consistent.
Panels, covers and guards
Large sheet capability supports panels, covers, machine guards, perforated details, access plates and formed sheet components. Parts can be cut ready for folding or fabrication.
Base plates and mounting plates
Laser cut plates can include slots, holes, radii, markings and repeat features. That makes fitting faster and reduces manual marking out on production or installation jobs.
Production nests
For repeat parts, the 4m x 2m bed helps plan batches efficiently. Better nesting can reduce waste, improve consistency and make fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes more cost effective for recurring orders.
Fabrication kits
Laser cut kits can be supplied as labelled flat parts or assembled by Wards. This is useful where customers want one supplier to manage the metalwork package.
Development parts
When a product is still changing, laser cutting gives a fast route to trial parts. Wards can help adjust geometry before committing to a larger batch.
Materials for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
The new 6kW laser is intended for common engineering metals used across fabrication, sheet metalwork, machinery and production parts. Exact maximum thickness depends on material grade, finish, gas choice, cut quality requirement and the final tolerance needed. We will confirm suitability at quotation stage rather than guessing from a vague description.
Typical enquiries may include mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium parts, along with profiles that need secondary operations. If a material is coated, galvanised, mirror finished, oily or safety critical, tell us early so we can plan the job correctly.
fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes can support flat profiles, blanks for folding, assembly tabs, slot-and-tab fabrication, inspection gauges, decorative panels, equipment guards and replacement parts. Where a profile needs machining after cutting, our machining capability can also be considered.
For health and safety, metal cutting and allied processes need suitable control of fume, dust and workshop risk. The HSE provides guidance on welding, cutting metals and related controls at HSE welding and cutting guidance.
Industrial buyers using fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
The best customers for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes are businesses that need responsive support, practical engineering judgement and a supplier who understands fabrication after the profile is cut.
fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes and surrounding areas
Wards is well placed for local companies that want fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes without sending every job to a distant profiling supplier. Local support is useful when drawings need a quick discussion, parts need checking, or the cut components need to move straight into folding or welding.
What to send for a fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes quote
A better enquiry gets a better quote. The more accurate the information, the easier it is to confirm material, cutting route, secondary work and delivery. You do not need perfect drawings for every job, but you do need enough information for us to understand what must be controlled.
Drawings
Send DXF files for cutting geometry and PDF drawings for critical dimensions, tolerances, bend notes, countersinks, tapped holes or inspection requirements.
Material
State material grade, thickness, finish and whether you are free-issuing material or want Wards to supply it. Include any certification or traceability needs.
Quantity
Tell us the batch size, whether it is a one-off, repeat order or call-off requirement, and whether future quantities are likely to increase.
Secondary operations
Confirm whether you need folding, welding, drilling, tapping, machining, finishing, packaging or delivery. This helps us price the full route accurately.
Lead time
Include the required date and whether it is urgent. We will be realistic about capacity instead of promising a date that will not work.
Revision control
Tell us the drawing revision and note any previous issues with fit, distortion, burrs, weld gaps, material yield or packaging.
Why choose Wards for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
One supplier for the full route
Wards can support cutting, folding, welding, machining and assembly, helping customers avoid the gaps that appear when every process is sent to a different supplier.
Practical fabrication knowledge
We know that a profile is rarely just a flat shape. Tabs, slots, weld gaps, hole sizes, bends, finish and handling all affect whether the finished job works.
Local communication
For fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, local communication can save time. You can discuss revisions, material choices and production issues with people who understand the workshop route.
Quality-minded systems
Wards works with ISO 9001 quality thinking, clear job information and practical checks. That supports repeat work, drawing control and consistent customer expectations.
Capacity for development and production
The new laser will help one-off prototypes, urgent repair parts and repeat batches. That mix is valuable for customers who need a supplier that can grow with the work.
Honest quote guidance
Where laser cutting is not the best answer, we can say so. Some parts may be better folded, machined, fabricated differently or redesigned before cutting.
Six-step process for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
Send the enquiry
Email sales@wards-welding.com or use the contact page. Include files, material, quantity and timescale.
Review the requirement
We review geometry, material, thickness, tolerances, secondary operations and any areas that need clarification.
Confirm the route
The job is planned for cutting only or for a wider production route including folding, welding, machining or finishing.
Quote the work
You receive a clear quote with any assumptions highlighted where needed.
Cut and process
The work is programmed, nested, cut and routed through any required follow-on operations.
Check and dispatch
Parts are checked against the agreed requirement, then made ready for collection, delivery or the next production stage.
How to get better value from fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
Good value from fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes normally comes from planning the part as a manufactured item rather than simply sending a shape to be cut. Hole sizes, corner radii, tabs, slots, bend allowances, grain direction, finishing and packaging can all influence the real cost of the work. By involving Wards early, customers can often remove avoidable handling, reduce rework and make the finished fabrication easier to assemble.
For repeat production, fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes is strongest when revision control is clear. A small change to a slot, hole pattern or fold line can affect every part in a batch. We recommend sending the latest drawing revision, confirming which dimensions are critical and making clear whether previous samples or old drawings should be ignored.
For one-off jobs, fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes can still be the right answer when accuracy, presentation or speed matters. A part does not need to be high volume to benefit from cleaner profiling. It may be a repair plate, replacement bracket, machine guard, prototype, sign panel or a small batch of parts needed quickly for a customer job.
For fabricated assemblies, fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes can improve fit-up by making the parts more consistent before welding. That can reduce time spent grinding, marking out and correcting gaps. It also allows tabs, slots and locating features to be designed into the parts, which can make assembly more controlled.
For buyers comparing suppliers for fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, look beyond the quoted cutting price. Check whether the supplier understands the finished use, whether they can support secondary work, whether they communicate clearly, and whether they are close enough to help when drawings change. Wards is positioned as a practical workshop partner, not just a profile cutting desk.
Quality checks before parts leave Wards
A laser cut part still needs sensible checking before it leaves the workshop. For simple profiles, that may mean confirming material, thickness, quantity, edge condition and obvious dimensional features. For parts going into an assembly, it may also mean checking hole alignment, fold orientation, weld preparation, part identification and whether the component has been protected for transport.
Customers can help by telling us what actually matters on the job. Some parts are decorative and need a clean visible edge. Some parts are functional and need holes or slots to land correctly. Some parts are only blanks for later machining. When the important features are clear, the workshop can put attention in the right place instead of treating every dimension as equally critical.
Packaging and handling also matter. Thin panels, stainless parts, finished faces and long profiles can be damaged if they are stacked without thought. If the parts need to arrive separated, labelled, protected or grouped into kits, tell us at quote stage. That instruction can be built into the route rather than discovered at the end.
This is why fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes is best handled as part of a proper production conversation. Wards can cut the part, but we can also help make sure the part is usable when it reaches your bench, site or assembly line.
FAQs about fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes
Do you offer fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes?
Yes. Wards is introducing a new 6kW 4m x 2m Esprit Automation Photon HD fibre laser to support fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, local sheet metal profiling and fabrication-ready cut parts.
Are Wards the first UK company with this Esprit model?
Yes. Wards is introducing the first UK 4m x 2m 6kW Photon HD fibre laser from Esprit Automation. It is a new model that gives us larger bed capacity and a practical manual loading setup for faster sheet handling.
What size sheet can the new laser handle?
The bed size is 4m x 2m, which is useful for larger sheets, long panels and efficient nesting. We will confirm job suitability against the specific material, thickness and drawing requirements.
Can you cut stainless steel and aluminium?
Send the material grade, finish and thickness and we will confirm suitability. Fibre laser cutting is commonly used for mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, but the best route depends on the part and finish required.
Can Wards fold or weld the laser cut parts?
Yes. Wards can quote cutting only or include folding, welding, machining and assembly. This is often the best route when the final part is more than a flat profile.
What files do you need?
DXF files are best for cutting geometry. PDF drawings are useful for critical dimensions, tolerances and notes. STEP files, sketches or sample parts may also help at enquiry stage.
How fast can you quote fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes?
The fastest quotes usually arrive when the enquiry includes material, thickness, quantity, drawing files, secondary operations and deadline. Missing information can slow the quote down.
Send your fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes enquiry to Wards
For fibre laser cutting Milton Keynes, email sales@wards-welding.com or use the contact page with drawings, DXF files, material, quantity and deadline. We can quote laser cutting only or include folding, welding, machining, fabrication and finishing where required.