Transforming Precision and Speed: Schrock Fabrication’s Success with Eagle Laser Cutting Machines
A Fabrication Powerhouse
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Schrock Fabrication, a dynamic and growing company founded in 2000, has been a key player in providing custom manufacturing services to a wide range of industries across the United States. Originally focused on miscellaneous metals and residential projects, Schrock expanded into laser cutting in 2019 to support their high-demand clients.
“Our customer mix varies, but we specialize in high-volume customers, including OEMs as far away as Colorado. We ship nationwide, and because of our high-volume equipment, we find it better to focus on large quantities rather than small batch orders,” said Kendall Schrock, owner of Schrock Fabrication.
With a 45,000-square-foot facility, they offer a range of services from laser cutting and bending to welding and storage. Their commitment to quality, speed, and reliability has been amplified by the acquisition of two 15kW and 20kW Eagle iNspire fiber lasers, which have become essential assets in their production line.
The Journey to High-Powered Laser Cutting​
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Kendall Schrock describes the decision to invest in Eagle lasers as pivotal. Schrock Fabrication had been outsourcing laser cutting in substantial volumes—up to a semi-truck load of parts per project. Recognizing the need for faster lead times and an attractive return on investment, they brought laser cutting in-house. Their first laser quickly proved its worth, enabling Schrock to rapidly expand their customer base and meet rising demand.
“We started growing and picked up multiple customers. We got so busy that we couldn't handle the work and ended up running three shifts around the clock with one laser,” Kendall recalls.
Demand grew so intensely that a second laser became necessary, followed by two more in quick succession. Today, Schrock operates four lasers, including two powerful Eagle machines, which form the backbone of their high-speed, high-volume production line.
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Why Eagle? Unparalleled Power, Precision, and Reliability
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Choosing Eagle was a strategic decision for Schrock Fabrication. Their Eagle iNspire 15kW and 20kW lasers’ capabilities allow them to operate at high cutting speeds and precision across various materials, from thin to thick.
“The 20-kilowatt laser allowed us to cut much faster on thicker materials, such as quarter-inch, half-inch, and 5/8-inch thicknesses. We recently ran a job with 66,000 pounds of 5/8-inch material in just three days,” Kendall shared. The increased G-force and polymer granite base enhance the machines' stability and precision, enabling them to maintain tight tolerances even at high speeds. “We’ve found that the Eagle machines cut certain materials—like quarter-inch aluminum—twelve times faster than our older 4k laser,” he added.
Before making a final decision, Schrock Fabrication thoroughly examined the technical aspects of the Eagle machine and visited other Eagle-equipped shops. When comparing key parameters, the decision quickly became clear.
“It only took a few months for us to decide on Eagle. During our research, we looked at other brands and evaluated factors like G-force, top speed, wattage, head longevity, and service. We wanted to know that if we had a breakdown, we could have someone on-site within 24 to 48 hours, rather than waiting one to four weeks,” Kendall explained.
Since then, service has not been an issue, and Kendall praises Fairmont Machinery’s (Eagle’s U.S distributor) prompt response: “When other laser shops tour my facility, one of their biggest questions is, ‘How is the service?’ I tell them the service is fantastic. When you call Fairmont, you usually get someone on the phone right away.”
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Pushing Productivity Boundaries with Eagle’s Innovative Features
The advanced capabilities of Eagle lasers have enabled Schrock Fabrication to significantly boost productivity. The Eagle iNspire series' 6G acceleration allows ultra-fast cutting, while the polymer granite base ensures accuracy and thermal stability. The eVa cutting head was also a decisive factor in their choice. As Kendall mentioned:
“One of the reasons we chose Eagle is the science behind the cutting head. We've noticed issues with high power affecting many head designs out there, and Eagle broke the mold with theirs. Moving from a 30-millimeter to a 60-millimeter lens completely changed how power moves through the head. On our 20-kilowatt laser, we haven't even changed the protective lens in over a year—that’s unheard of in our industry.”
The iNspire’s unique ability to maintain high-speed output without sacrificing accuracy has proven invaluable for Schrock’s high-volume production lines. Another valued feature is Eagle’s user-friendly HMI. Schrock’s team learned the system quickly, so the machines were operational within days of installation. “We were up and running within weeks, and our team found the HMI intuitive and easier to use than our other systems,” Kendall noted. This ease of use has further enhanced productivity.
Reliable Support and Service from Eagle and Fairmont Machinery
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Reliability in both equipment and support is essential to Schrock Fabrication. Fairmont Machinery has provided commendable service from installation to ongoing maintenance.
“We were very pleased with how Fairmont Machinery handled the installation, involving us in the process, explaining everything, and allowing us to understand the technology behind it. After installation, we had about three days of training, and we were off to the races from day one!” commented Schrock.
He also emphasized the honesty and transparency of the sales team, particularly their realistic approach to machine capabilities:
"Chip, the owner of Fairmont, was careful not to oversell his equipment. He even took a video of the parts he was cutting for us to show us that the results were achievable. With 6G motion and top speeds of 14,000 inches per minute, we were genuinely impressed with the machine’s output.”
Schrock Fabrication now benefits from a record uptime of 99% on both Eagle machines and innovative technology like the Eagle Eye remote fault detection system, which provides them with real-time feedback on machine and operator activity, allowing quick diagnosis and resolution of potential issues.
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Customer Impact and a Future of Continued Excellence
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For Schrock Fabrication’s clients, especially OEMs in high-volume industries, the integration of Eagle lasers has been transformative. The combination of high cutting speed, precision, and dependable service has enabled Schrock to offer same-day delivery on stocked parts, ensuring their clients' production lines operate without delays. Schrock’s stocking program enables customers to order any quantity, whether one skid or twenty, with confidence that parts will ship immediately. One of their standout capabilities is cutting thick materials, up to 3/4 inch, with the precision required for immediately applying secondary processes.
If Kendall had to describe Eagle in one word, it would be “reliable.” Eagle Lasers have empowered Schrock Fabrication to deliver unparalleled speed, quality, and service to customers nationwide.
“I would definitely recommend Eagle to other companies if they're looking for a high-speed laser system that’s reliable. Not only do I believe Eagle is the best system, but I also believe Eagle Lasers provides the best service in the industry by far,” he concluded.​​