Plasma Cutters Feature Novel Arc-Starting Mechanism

Thermal Dynamics, an ESAB brand, has unveiled its Cutmaster X 90 and Cutmaster X 110, the first two units in its next-generation of heavy-industrial manual plasma cutting systems. A new arc-starting mechanism, which has no moving parts, initiates the arc within a few thousandths of a second after establishing airflow.

An all-new consumables design also allows users to replace only components that are wearing out, further improving the functionality, reliability and arc-starting capability of the consumable set. Furthermore, the new 1TorchFLEX features an articulating head that can flex from 30° to 90°(and then lock in place) to improve joint access for cutting and gouging (consumables for cutting and gouging are included). 

“The Cutmaster X arc-starting mechanism represents the biggest innovation in plasma cutting in decades,” says Kris Scherm, global product manager at ESAB. “Starting the arc in a few thousandths of a second improves cutting performance, and users rank fast arc starts and steady cutting power among their most requested features. Consumables life is also high on their list, and our new cutting tip, cup and cap design will allow users to keep more money in their pockets.” 

The Cutmaster X 90 (90 A at >50% duty cycle) has a rated pierce and cut capacity of 22.2 mm and a 44.5 mm sever capability, whilethe Cutmaster X 110 (110 A at >50% duty cycle) has a rated pierce and cut capacity of 25.4 mm and a 50.8 mm sever capability. The units weigh approximately 27.2 kg and automatically connect to 200-600V single- or three-phase primary power without manual linking. A new industrial housing protects the unit in rugged environments, and a large, crystal-clear digital display with intuitive menus makes operation and training easy.

More information www.easb.com

Olicona Products Brings Sheet Metalworking In-House

Olicana Products has for many years prided itself on providing a top-quality, high-volume, CNC tube laser cutting and bending service for customers involved in the manufacture of mainly commercial seating, but also medical, education and bathroom products. The only items bought in were flat metal components that constitute a relatively small part of most fabrications. However,even that function has now been integrated into the Ilkley, Yorkshire factory with the installation of an LS7 flat-bed, fibre-laser cutting machine from BLM Group UK.

Says Stephen Thorpe, Olicana’s technical director: “The BLM LS7 was selected due to it being a top-class machine, coupled with the fact that we’ve been using tube bending machines from BLM since 2001 and been very satisfied with both the equipment and the service they provide.”

Control over flat sheet metal parts supply to the fabrication and assembly department has been improved with the installation of the 6 kW BLM LS7 fibre-laser cutting centre. Savings in subcontract costs are predicted to amortise the investment quickly.

Thorpe appreciates the modern features of the machine, including: automatic sheet position sensing and alignment with the programmed path; active nozzle centring to maintain productivity, particularly during unattended operation; and active zoom. The latter changes the diameter of the laser beam to optimise cut quality and speed according to the gauge of sheet in-cut.

Similar steel materials – mild, high-tensile and stainless – are laser-profiled into components nested across 2.5 x 1.25 m sheets. Tolerances of 50 µm are achieved. The outgoing movement of the table carrying the cut parts and skeleton, and the movement of the incoming table carrying a fresh sheet, are simultaneous. Table exchange is completed in under 9 seconds.

More information www.blmgroup.com

Start-up gets optimal results with Kerf Waterjet

Located in County Durham, Waterjet-Tec Ltd is a promising start-up, especially given its recent investment in an Optima O-Series 420 waterjet cutting machine from Kerf Developments. Founded by co-directors Terry Stewart and Peter Robinson, the new business is situated near its sister company, Laser Profiling (North East) Ltd.

The serial entrepreneurs recognised an opportunity when a local waterjet firm went into administration.

“We previously sold a business and I’d retired, but a gap in the market for a subcontract waterjet business appeared and it was too good to pass up,” explains Robinson.“We found a facility, looked for a machine and employed experienced staff.”

Commenting on the machine selection process, Stewart adds: “We identified a market opportunity around two core points. Firstly, there was an opportunity for cutting a wide range of non-metallic materials beyond the traditional laser and plasma remit. Secondly, certain parts across industries such as aerospace, offshore and military require cutting with no heat generation, as it has a propensity to alter the physical properties and integrity of components.”

Doing its due diligence, the business opted for the Optima O-Series 420 with a 4 x 2m bed and two cutting heads.

“Despite looking at rival machines, we knew the Kerf model would be at least 30% faster than anything else, giving us a competitive edge as soon as we opened the doors for business,” says Robinson.“Our new team also had first-hand service experience from numerous waterjet suppliers, and they immediately recommended Kerf.

“We fully expect the Optima 420 to have a very short payback period,” he concludes. “In the near future, our annual turnover will be approaching £1m, which is a fantastic foundation for a new business to grow.”

More information www.kerfdevelopments.com

Preparing for growth

A long-established family-run engineering company in Warwickshire is preparing for a major new phase of growth after receiving assistance from a regional business support organisation.Henley Engineers, founded in 1942 and based in Henley-in-Arden, worked closely with Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub to modernise its operations, upgrade its digital infrastructure and identify new market opportunities. The support included help securing a £20,000 grant from Made Smarter West Midlands towards a £70,000 investment in a new ERP and CRM system. Henley is also investing in its first robotic welding arm.

More information https://cwgrowthhub.co.uk

Flexxbotics Expansion

Flexxbotics, delivering digital solutions for robot-driven manufacturing at scale, is expanding with new offices in Newlab at Michigan Central in Detroit. Driven by growing demand for manufacturing autonomy with autonomous process control, the new facilities position Flexxbotics for even tighter collaboration with customers and partners across the Midwest.Newlab operates five innovation centres around the world that connect high-growth technology companies with industrial ecosystems for cross-sector networking and deployment.

More information www.flexxbotics.com