African Fusion August 2017

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August 2017 AFRICAN FUSION 31
For the laser cutting and fabrication
sectors, high-purity nitrogen is es-
sential as it is used to clearmoltenmetal
from the point of cutting. An important
factor in this process is that – as an al-
ternative to oxygen – nitrogen prevents
oxidisation of the cut, allowing for a
so-called ‘cold’ cut which gives a clean
finish to the edges. This obviates the
need for time-consuming, expensive
deburring work.
Until now, the laser-cutting and
fabrication sectors have sourced ni-
trogen in cylinders, a frequently costly
system with some inherent challenges.
That scenario is now changing, with the
signing of an agreement between First
Cut, a leading South African distribu-
tor of cutting consumables and capital
equipment, and NitraLife, a manufac-
turer of nitrogen generators. In terms of
the agreement, First Cut has exclusive
distribution rights toNitraLife’s NitraCut
nitrogen generators aimed at the laser
cutting and fabrication industries.
“When we first saw a NitraLife gen-
erator connected directly to a fibre laser
we had recently sold, wewere excitedby
First Cut and NitraLife establish ‘clean cut’ partnership
the potential of being able to supply an
uninterrupted, affordable supply of ni-
trogen – on-site and on-demand – to all
our Bystronic laser customers,” says First
Cut managing director, Andrew Poole.
In 2016, the owner of a laser cutting
business approached Sowry, wanting to
know if a NitraLife generator would be
able to supply his laser machines with
nitrogen. A fit-for-purposegeneratorwas
built and testedand, once in service, was
an instant success. This saw the incep-
tion of the NitraCut division of NitraLife;
which nowmarkets nitrogen generators
exclusively through First Cut to the laser
cutting and fabrication sectors.
“Through the agreement, NitraLife
will be able to access the laser cutting
and fabrication markets, leveraging
First Cut’s extensive knowledge of and
excellent reputation in this industry as
a springboard to spearhead future mar-
keting efforts,” Sowry explains.
“We have found that customers ben-
efitting from this on-site, on-demand
supply can usually recoup the generator
purchase price within a year, achieving
excellent return-on-investment,” says
Tom Sowry, sales director of NitraLife with a NitraCut
nitrogen generator aimed at the laser cutting and
fabrication industries.
Gareth Jackson, Bystronic South Africa
sales director at First Cut.
“This will allow laser cutting shops
which are remote from mainstream
nitrogen gas suppliers to have their
own source of nitrogen on-demand and
on-site, regardless of geographical loca-
tion,” adds Jackson.