BIP Distribution Laser: Enhancing Operations Through Eagle Laser Technology and Automation
From In-House Needs to a Growing Laser Cutting Business
BIP Distribution Laser, part of the B.I.P. Group, first introduced laser cutting to support its own production needs. As demand grew, the company expanded its services, cutting a wide range of materials for public and private clients across multiple industries.
“B.I.P. also owns Perolo, which manufactures industrial valves. We do laser cutting, threading, milling, and a bit of welding,” explains Miss Catherine Lentz, Site Manager. “In 2008, we acquired our first laser cutting machine, and later a second one.”
Over time, the aging equipment limited efficiency and material versatility. To maintain high-quality standards and increase production capacity, the company began exploring a new solution.
“Our building was becoming too small and our machines were aging, so the idea emerged to purchase a new one. We planned to keep one of the two existing machines, acquire a new one, and most importantly, move to a new building since we were in Blaye and wanted to be closer to major transportation routes. This led us to the Saint Marien site and the construction of a very large new facility.”
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Choosing Eagle for Performance and Automation
When the need for an upgrade became evident, BIP Distribution Laser sought expert recommendations. A trusted service provider strongly endorsed Eagle machines, and after gathering feedback from existing Eagle users in Poland and France, the company was convinced.
“What convinced us was visiting Eagle in Poland and seeing both a Polish and a French client using their machines. Having feedback from actual users who can share their experiences is very important.” says Miss Lentz.
One crucial advantage of the Eagle system was its ability to cut both thin and thick materials at high speed, an essential requirement for the company. “The Eagle eVision 1540 10kW seemed to meet all our expectations. The machine allowed fast cutting of thin sheets while also handling thicker ones, like 25mm and 30mm. This saved us from buying a plasma cutter or outsourcing, in addition to enabling nighttime automation through a tower that runs the cutting process automatically.”
Automation further enhanced productivity, enabling unattended cutting during off-hours: “It allows us to start production automatically at night and have the parts ready in the morning,” adds Lentz.
Efficiency Gains and Improved Workflow
The integration of Eagle technology significantly improved production processes. Advanced software capabilities optimized material usage and introduced real-time tracking of sheets and scrap. “With Eagle, I have much more efficient software and nesting. The machine tracks everything, which is very important for us.”
Beyond performance, the transition was made easier by Eagle’s responsive support and French-speaking service staff. “The installation was done quickly, and having staff that speaks French is such a big advantage. When small issues arise, they are resolved fast.”
BIP Distribution Laser’s expertise goes beyond laser cutting. “We do bending and can process sheets up to four meters long on our laser machine. We also do threading, some welding, and assembly— allowing us to produce more complex structures than simple cut parts.” The ability to work with diverse materials has also been a strength. “Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper— we cut all these materials, including some more exotic ones, with different grades like B355 or even certain duplex stainless steels.”
The investment in Eagle technology has brought measurable benefits in efficiency and reliability. “The cuts are relatively clean and fast, even on thick materials, with less taper and fewer burrs.” The operators, who previously used CO₂ , adapted very well to fiber laser technology.
“They appreciate working with new equipment and figuring out how to troubleshoot issues— sometimes even before calling Eagle.”
Eagle’s technical support team also plays a key role in smooth operations. “The maintenance service is excellent, thanks also to the easily reachable staff. Eagle is responsive, and minor interventions are handled quickly.”
Since upgrading to Eagle, the company has seen a noticeable increase in performance process optimization.
Because the machine cuts faster, we definitely gain efficiency. It’s an advantage, particularly for large production runs. “It’s a high-performance machine, and I have personally recommended it without hesitation,” concludes Lentz.