High-power laser cutting

Bodor has launched its BodorGenius 12 kW laser head, as well as the world’s only tailor-made 22 kW laser. The former optimises Bodor’s stable and efficient laser cutting solutions, while the latter accelerates its progress on advanced 10 kW+ laser cutting technologies.

According to Bodor, the company has now sold in excess of 500 laser cutting machines with a power output of 10 kW or above. Bodor says it understands that efficiency and stability are important to clients who purchase high-power laser cutting machines. Therefore, the company has launched the new BodorGenius 12 kW laser head and the world’s only tailor-made 22 kW laser.

The self-developed BodorGenius 12 kW laser head achieves IP65 protection level thanks to dual protection of the optical path: one on-chip protective lens and two under-chip protective lenses to protect the internal cavity from external pollution. The optical path and air path are optimised to reduce the interference of stray light and airflow fluctuation, which avoids unnecessary interference and ensures stable cutting quality.

The world’s only tailor-made 22 kW laser, researched and developed under strategic co-operation between Bodor and Maxphotonics, offers continuous and stable output of 22 kW power, flat-top beam distribution, and anti-high-reflection protection technology. As a result, Bodor says it can increase overall laser cutting efficiency by 20% and produce first-class cutting results, even on highly reflective materials.

For further information
www.bodor.com

Made-to-measure 3D laser beams

Researchers at the National Robotarium, hosted by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, have secured £586,000 to develop 3D laser beams with changeable shapes. The innovation is set to transform the manufacturing industry, making it easier and cheaper to produce products that require highly precise manufacturing, such as medical equipment and mobile devices. Funding from the EPSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation, will support the R&D of the lasers for industrial applications, accelerating the commercialisation of the technology for the benefit of businesses and the wider UK economy.

For further information https://is.gd/ajavub

New options for automated plasma system

For increased productivity when performing automated plasma cutting, ESAB has launched enhanced versions of its 200, 300 and 400 A iSeries high-precision plasma power sources to double cutting output to 400, 600 or 800 A, respectively. This new capability, standard on iSeries systems manufactured after 1 March, requires using matching consumables, a connection kit with cabling and associated software for the controller.

“The concept is similar to paralleling two welding power sources to use larger diameter electrodes for increased productivity,” explains Dirk Ott, VP – global plasma automation. “This new capability features some modest software and hardware enhancements, but the challenge was developing the new 600 and 800 A consumables for stainless steel and aluminium.

Ott notes that consumables are the most highly engineered components in an automated plasma cutting system, and that achieving optimal cut quality and speed requires changing consumables to match the application. ESAB now offers consumables for automated plasma cutting outputs from 15 to 800 A.

Target applications include fabricators and steel service centres that use two torches on the same gantry, and those cutting sections of stainless steel and aluminium material up to 160 mm, which are primarily in the power generation, pressure vessel, chemical and petrochemical processing industries.

Users of 600 and 800 A systems mostly want faster cutting speeds on non-ferrous material that ranges from 50 to 100 mm. As an example, the 600 A system cuts 75 mm stainless steel at 330 mm/min using H35 (the H35 process uses 35% hydrogen/65% nitrogen for the plasma gas and nitrogen for the shielding gas).

For further information
www.esab.co.uk

Corbetts steps up recruitment drive

Flexible shift patterns, part-time working and long-term permanent contracts are just some of the measures being introduced by a Shropshire manufacturer keen to fill 24 vacant positions. Corbetts the Galvanizers, which has secured a string of new orders, has already taken on 25 new employees, but needs additional general operatives to help it meet increasing demand from the construction, perimeter fencing, street furniture, transport and utilities sectors. Management at the 161-year-old firm are lamenting a major lack of available candidates, fuelled by many migrant workers from the EU returning home.

For further information www.wcorbett.co.uk

Protolabs adds CTQ service

Telford-based Protolabs has launched a critical to quality (CTQ) inspection service for its on-demand injection moulding, whilst maintaining its production speed – as little as one day from CAD upload to the shipping of parts. This new service will save design engineers days or even weeks of time for the delivery of quality-assured parts.

A key aspect behind this rapid reporting and delivery is the company’s new software platform, which creates a digital thread as soon as a customer uploads a CAD model into the system. Working within the platform, the client simply submits a print of the model and uses red circles on the design to highlight up to five features where dimensions and tolerances are critical. Protolabs then reviews the model. If there are no issues, the order is issued without delay, whilst, if there is an issue, the client will be notified to decide on the next steps.

For further information www.protolabs.co.uk