Prince Manufacturing has expanded its metal fabrication capabilities at its Asheville facility with the installation of a new Longxin automated tube laser cutting system. The investment increases the company’s capacity to process tubular components for original equipment manufacturers and industrial customers.
The new system can process tubes up to 3 inches in diameter and 18 feet in length. It features an automated feeding system and square indexing capability, allowing Prince to handle tubular parts used in frames, rails, brackets, guards, supports and welded assemblies.
The addition gives the Asheville facility greater in-house capacity for tube processing and reduces the need for multiple manual operations before welding, finishing or assembly.BIK Automated tube laser cutting can combine several processes into a more controlled production operation, helping improve repeatability and reduce handling.
For OEM customers, the expanded capability is relevant to programmes involving structural tube assemblies, equipment frames, machine guards, support rails, brackets, mounting structures, material-handling components and industrial racks. It can also support components used in agricultural equipment, power distribution, heavy trucks and other industrial products.
The investment forms part of Prince Manufacturing’s broader contract manufacturing platform. The company provides metal fabrication, forming, laser cutting, turret punching, stamping, press braking, welding, machining, powder coating, liquid coating, e-coating, assembly, kitting, sequencing and shipping.
The company said the new tube laser system will allow customers to source tube cutting together with downstream fabrication and assembly services. This can reduce supplier coordination, transportation between vendors and delays associated with moving work between different production facilities.
Bill Emberson, VP Sales & Marketing, Prince Manufacturing, said, “This investment expands what we can offer OEM customers from our Asheville operation. The new automated tube laser gives us additional flexibility for tubular components, welded assemblies, and production programs that require repeatability, speed, and strong downstream integration. Our goal is always to help customers reduce risk, simplify their supply chain, and improve manufacturing performance.”
The equipment also supports Prince’s focus on North American manufacturing. The company operates in the United States and Mexico and offers contract manufacturing, Mexico shelter manufacturing and hybrid manufacturing models. The Asheville facility can now support a wider range of tube-based production programmes, from individual fabricated components to larger assemblies requiring welding, finishing, packaging and sequencing. The additional capacity is intended to improve production flexibility and responsiveness for OEM customers.
Founded in 1965 as Prince Automotive, Prince Manufacturing is a US-owned contract manufacturing company serving customers in industrial, transportation, agriculture, power distribution, communications, appliance and HVAC, heavy truck and powersports markets. The company provides integrated manufacturing services for metal and composite products and supports customers seeking additional production capacity, shorter lead times and simplified supply chains across North America.
