XPR300 fitted to Esprit plasma systems

The new XPR300 plasma-cutting system from Hypertherm is said to represent the greatest leap forward in mechanised plasma cutting ever – and the first place it can be seen in action in the UK is at Esprit Automation’s Nottingham facility.
The XPR300 performs at its best when mounted on Esprit machines, says the company. Cut speeds some 15% faster than the next equivalent system mean production parts can be manufactured at a more rapid pace than ever before. Furthermore, the system offers 20% thicker piercing capacity on stainless steel.
The XPR300 is also fitted with advanced power supply technology that provides active, moment-to-moment system feedback and automatically intervenes to prevent errors that can adversely impact consumable lifespan, improving the machine’s lifetime running costs. Features such as this mean that the XPR300 has half the running costs of its nearest equivalent, says Esprit.
Additional features such as vented water injection ensure good results on aluminium cuts, while connection systems like EasyConnect and QuickLock mean both torches and consumables can be switched-out rapidly. Esprit machines provide an operational base for the XPR300 to work from, whether it’s the flexible Multibevel machine, or the large-scale, multi-headed Viper.
Esprit Automation and Hypertherm’s partnership goes back nearly three decades. In 1990, Esprit chose Hypertherm as its exclusive supplier of plasma cutting technology, allowing both companies to specialise their hardware to complement the other.
For further information www.espritautomation.com

Laser cutter for automotive door rings

Hot-stamped parts are increasingly replacing traditional metal-formed parts in the manufacture of vehicle frames. For instance, among the trends gaining momentum is the adoption of a new door-ring concept, whereby an element is hot stamped as a single part rather than the usual four parts. With this in mind, Prima Power has released a laser cutter that is focused on this specific application: Laser Next 2130. According to Prima Power, the new model maintains the performance of the existing 1530, but offers increased working volume in the Y-axis to suit the cutting of large, hot-stamped components.
Laser Next 2130 has a working volume of 3050 x 2100 x 612 mm, with a 5 m turntable. To suit throughput in automotive industry applications, this capacity is supported by a trajectory speed of 208 m/min and 2.1 g acceleration. The machine can be equipped with a 3 or 4 kW high-brilliance fibre laser developed and manufactured by Prima Power. Direct motors and transducers are used for the machine’s main axes and focusing head.
Prima Power says it is the only laser machine manufacturer to develop all essential elements of its products in-house, including the company’s new CF series generators.
“We could already offer the best and fastest solution for the cutting of standard sized hot-stamped components,” explains Marco Pivanti, 3D laser product manager, “but we needed an evolution of the Laser Next 1530 featuring an increased Y-axis stroke to allow the processing of larger components, such as the door ring.”
For further information
www.primapower.com

Turkey’s manufacturing reaches 9-year high

The capacity utilisation rate (CUR) of Turkish manufacturing rose further to 79% in June, the highest figure recorded since August 2008’s 81.9%, the central bank reports. Furthermore, Turkey’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from 51.7 in April to 53.5 in May, the highest level recorded since December 2013, while calendar adjusted industrial production growth hit a 20-month high in April and exports surged 16% year-on-year in May. Production from the industrial sector was up 5.3% year-on-year in Q1, with manufacturing output recording a climb of 5.1%.
For further information www.tcmb.gov.tr

AED 51m for Al Ain Industrial City

ZonesCorp says that it has signed four deals with companies to build facilities in Al Ain Industrial City (AAIC). The new projects represent a combined investment of approximately AED51m and cover a total area of nearly 60,000 sq m. After finalising deals with ZonesCorp at the end of 2016 and in Q1 2017, construction of the new facilities is underway and due to be completed towards the end of this year.
Strategically located midway between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, AAIC has excellent transport and communication links, and is well located to serve GCC markets. Spread over an area of 9 sq km, AAIC has been developed and is operated under the same technical and environmental standards as the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
For further information www.zonescorp.com

Everything must go

XYZ Machine Tools is hosting an open house event at its Sheffield Showroom (WNT Technical Centre) on the 12 July (08:00-15:00), and in line with policy at these events, all of the display machines are available to buy and all will be subject to enticing deals on the day. Stock is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and, as there is no need to reserve a place, arriving early is recommended. While the showroom machines are limited in numbers, this will still be an opportunity to see XYZ’s ProtoTrak control system in operation on a ProtoTrak mill and ProTurn lathe, as well as demonstrations on an XYZ 710 VMC and Compact Turn 52 turning centre.
For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com