Cyan Tec takes advantage of Trumpf technology

Cyan Tec Systems, a designer and manufacturer of bespoke automation systems, is relying on Trumpf solid-state fibre- and disk-laser technology to help maximise the quality and reliability of its machines. The company currently has 14 Trumpf lasers at various stages of machine integration across its shop floor in Leicester, eight of which are for laser-cutting applications.

“We supply to both industry and the research sectors, working with major laser source and laser head/optics manufacturers to offer a complete solution,” explains Cyan Tec’s sales manager Richard Copson.

Prominent among this number is Trumpf, with which Cyan Tec has had a successful business relationship since 2009. The partnership has grown in recent years following Trumpf’s acquisition and subsequent rebranding of SPI Lasers.

“We use Trumpf because their lasers suit our very diverse mix of projects,” states Copson. “Trumpf’s wide spectrum of lasers means they can nearly always offer a solution, which is a big advantage for us. We also tap into their support. We don’t have any on-site demonstration facilities for lasers, so we rely on Trumpf for component trials. It helps to prove the process and provides customer confidence.”

At present, the company is building 14 systems featuring Trumpf lasers, 12 of which are TruFiber P compact models. TruFiber P compact series lasers are available in a convenient 19-inch format with laser power of up to 2 kW.

“We buy a lot of these lasers because they have a small dimensional envelope,” says Copson. “We take them as rack-mounted OEM modules, which gives us the flexibility to add whatever optical set-up we require on the end. The TruFiber P compact has a competitive price, is practically maintenance-free and offers an integrated safety concept.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

Machine investment helps 3DT expand

Wolverhampton-based 3D Tooling Technologies (3DT) is set to expand its operations following the acquisition of a new machine tool from Chester Machine Tools, facilitated by funding from Paragon SME Lending. The five-figure package will see the specialist in product and component prototype development, design and manufacturing expand the range of services now available to clients, including machining.

Chester Machine Tools supplied 3DT with a Chester VF1100 high-speed CNC machining centre. Discussing Paragon’s role in facilitating the deal, Graham Cherry, Chester Machine Tool’s CNC sales manager, says: “I’ve been involved in the machine tool space for many years and always had excellent experience working with Paragon. Its knowledge in this sector, together with its appetite and willingness to support Chester and our customers, has been a breath of fresh air.”
For further information www.paragonbankinggroup.co.uk

Renishaw to invest £50m in Miskin site

Renishaw, is to invest over £50m at its Miskin site in Wales to increase manufacturing capacity and help meet its net-zero emissions targets. The investment will see 37,000 sq m of additional low-carbon buildings created at the 193 acre site to the west of Cardiff, consisting of two new production halls and an employee welfare facility. Renishaw currently employs 650 people at the site. The company will also refurbish the existing production halls to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Construction will take place in phases, with a 15-month programme of work starting in July 2022 to build the first of the new halls, the welfare facility and supporting infrastructure. The basic shell for the second new production hall will be built by December 2024 and be fully constructed when business levels require its use. The details of the operations that will take place in each of the new halls is yet to be fully determined, but the additional capacity will allow for increases to machining operations and the assembly of products already built at the site.
For further information www.renishaw.com

LVD shows full-featured tube laser

LVD showcased its TL 8525, the most advanced tube laser cutting machine in its TL series, at the recent Tube 2022 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company says that its TL 8525 opens the door to a world of versatile tube and profile processing with optimised features, including 45° 3D tilt-axis cutting head, six-position front loader, wide X-axis cutting range, and the ability to cut tubes up to 8500 mm long (up to 3000 mm long and 250 mm diameter).

Built for high productivity, the TL 8525 can accommodate a broad range of applications, including complex, large and heavy tubes. The 400 mm Z axis efficiently handles the processing of larger profiles. Notably, the machine maintains the compact footprint of other TL models and offers the advantage of accessibility on all sides. AS loading and unloading is handled on one side, the machine can fit into a small space or against a wall.

LVD’s 45° 3D tilt-cutting head delivers high-precision bevel cutting and is suitable for weld-preparation cuts in thick-walled tubes, while the front loader loads up to six tubes and offers six positions for up to 250 mm tubes. The 1190 mm X-axis cutting-head range permits processing along a greater length of the tube, wasting less material to make tube cutting more productive and profitable.

Automatic tube loading, automatic tube centring, and automatic set up and adjustment of the chuck and steady rest, offer highly automated, reliable operation.

The TL 8525 comes equipped with a 2 kW fibre laser source, although a 4 kW laser is available as an option.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Stepping up tube-cutting capabilities

Yamazaki Mazak says it is taking laser-cutting capabilities to the maximum with the launch of its compact 3D fibre laser cutting machine, the FG-220. The FG-220 is suitable for the precision 3D cutting of long tubes (with round, square, rectangular and triangular cross-sections) and structural materials (such as I and H beams, angle iron and additional user-defined shapes).

Use of the new machine’s improves the productivity of cutting thin-to-medium thickness pipe and other structural materials, thanks largely to the fibre-laser technology having a shorter wavelength than a CO2 laser for the high-speed cutting of medium steel with nitrogen assist gas. Higher productivity translates into significant energy savings due to the 100% elimination of laser gas and a 50% reduction in electrical consumption.

Furthermore, the FG-220 is an all-in-one machine that can perform multiple processes including cutting, drilling, tapping and clamping, which leads to significantly reduced in-process times.

Mazak has engineered a proprietary 3D laser cutting head with an extended range of movement in the A and B axes, which expands on the array of possible applications. The FG-220 enables machining at any desired angle and from various directions, thus achieving even complex shapes, as well as tight joint fits. As a result, it is possible to construct rigid space frames far quicker (with reduced welding) in comparison with conventional construction processes. The machine is suitable for use on a broader spectrum of workpieces, including highly-reflective materials such as copper and brass.

Several features enable high-precision cutting of long materials, such as auto-centring and workpiece clamping, as well as various support units to prevent sagging during cut. Four chucks simultaneously travel on and rotate around the axis to avoid material swaying.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk