Investment in WidLaser system from Graphtec GB allows Crabb Engineering to increase laser engraving service
Founded in 1994, Crabb Engineering manufactures high-quality precision components tailored to customer-specified drawings. The company serves many market sectors, with a particularly strong presence in the Automotive, Optical, Oil and Gas industries.
“For many years, we have been supplying products to major UK optical companies and have needed to outsource the laser engraving element,” explains Josh Foxx, co-owner of Crabb Engineering. “We recently decided to bring this operation in-house because it would allow us to control quality better and reduce costs. We also felt that this was a service that could be offered to more customers in other industries.”
To do this, Crabb invested in a WidLaser F150 Fibre Laser machine supplied and installed by Graphtec GB. This machine produces incredibly intricate and detailed designs within a compact, desktop-friendly frame. It uses a fibre laser tube to engrave onto a broad range of materials and is perfect for users creating bespoke and personalised promotional products.
It has an operational active workspace of 150mm x 150mm and can reach speeds of up to 4000mm/sec with a resolution of 2000 DPIS.
Josh adds, “Installing a laser engraving facility in-house has given us many key advantages. By offering this service in-house, we can provide our customers with faster, more responsive, and more flexible service at a lower cost. It also gives us improved profitability and increased workforce job security.”
During its search for the right equipment, Crabb discovered Graphtec GB. Josh explains, “Their local presence was a significant advantage. Graphtec GB quickly understood our business and requirements and demonstrated a laser machine that perfectly suited our needs. Our contact, Ellen, was instrumental in showcasing the machine and proved its suitability by running multiple customer samples for us. The finished products met our customer requirements, and the price of the WidLaser F150 was within our budget, making our decision to proceed straightforward.”
Soon afterwards, Graphtec GB supplied and installed the machine and provided training to Crabb. “The whole installation and training process went very well. The machine and the software that runs it are very intuitive and the operators picked it up very quickly. The Graphtec GB team has been a great support, ensuring everything runs smoothly. They were also happy to provide additional guidance when we purchased the rotary attachment. We now have two operators trained on the laser machine, and they find it easy to use.”
While laser engraving is still a relatively small part of Crabb’s overall business, it is an important addition to its existing capabilities. Josh concludes, “We anticipate that many of our customers will find this service beneficial. We invested in this machine because it fits our strategy to expand our service offerings and continue delivering outstanding value. It’s a decision that supports our long-term goals of growth, efficiency, and maintaining our position as a leader in precision engineering.”
For more information, please contact Ellen Wain on ellen@graphtecgb.co.uk or visit the website: https://graphtecgb.co.uk
Read more about Graphtec GB and WidInovations on Eye on Display
