Trumpf EdgeLine Bevel delivers customer value

The latest machine to arrive at The Laser Cutting Co (TLCC) is a Trumpf TruLaser 5040 flat-bed fibre laser cutter that features EdgeLine Bevel, a Trumpf solution that allows users to bevel or countersink part edges automatically during the cutting process, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming secondary processes. According to TLCC, EdgeLine Bevel will represent a “strong addition to its existing customer offering”.

The new machine arrived at the end of February 2022, supporting the company’s ethos of investing in the latest laser technology every year and being the first to market. It is the second Trumpf model on site, where it joins a TruLaser Tube 7000 CO2 machine, installed in 2020.

“One of our older flat-bed laser cutting machines was a 6 kW model from a Trumpf competitor, which was proving slower than general market demand,” explains TLCC sales director Charlie Day. “The faster TruLaser 5040 has provided a lot more capacity and is generally a much better machine. Our lasers are key to delivering on our short lead-time promises without compromising on cut quality.”

EdgeLine Bevel automatically inserts chamfers up to 45° and countersinks of various sizes, eliminating the need for secondary processes. The benefit: faster, more efficient, more flexible and simpler processes with fewer errors.

Says Day: “We want EdgeLine Bevel because many of our customers request countersinking and weld preparations. Although we can provide this service manually, EdgeLine Bevel will prove to be much more efficient, accurate and productive. As a large proportion of our customer base is essentially fabrication, engineering and welding oriented, the ability to offer countersinks and bevels on all parts will provide us with an even stronger proposition.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

Software for sheet metal business digitalisation

Bystronic is launching a new software solution for the sheet metal industry. BySoft Suite expands on the existing BySoft software products already used by most of Bystronic’s customers. With the latest software, customers can completely digitalise their business, from quote to delivery.

BySoft Suite is comprised of six software product families (Insight, Business, Shop Floor, CAD, CAM, Cell Control) that collectively enable customers to digitally monitor, manage and make decisions at each stage of their business process. The software suite allows better control and accelerated processes by providing immediate data in one place, presenting the ability to make changes when needed. This capability allows customers to adapt to ever-changing and unpredictable market challenges, and make business decisions with more comprehensive and centralised data.

BySoft’s allows any company in the sheet metal industry the opportunity to digitalise, regardless of size or current level of digitization. The technology offers a hybrid solution, combining cloud and on-premise software, making it affordable even for small and medium companies. The software can interoperate with third-party business management systems and machines, enabling complete vertical solutions using a single data source.

“Thanks to BySoft Suite, our customers can advance on their smart factory journey and now have the opportunity to digitalise their entire business, which gives them full control over what is happening and allows flexibility to adapt,” says Alberto Martínez, Bystronic’s chief digital officer. “We have a complete software suite that interoperates, so that customers have comprehensive data in one place. Customers who are using the software tell us they have decreased order-taking time, for example, from three hours to just minutes, along with improved accuracy.”
For further information www.bystronic.com

New cost-efficient laser cutting machine

LVD is introducing Puma, a new cost-efficient fibre laser cutting machine designed to provide high-technology features and performance at a lower total cost of ownership. Offered with a 3, 6 or 12 kW laser in 3050 x 1525, 4065 x 2035 and 6160 x 2035 mm formats, LVD says that its automation-ready Puma provides the agility to handle a diversity of cutting applications.

LVD’s latest laser cutting machine addresses growing demand for versatile laser cutting equipment built to maximise the value of a user’s investment and lower cost per part. Puma operates as economically as possible with high-end features that optimise cutting performance and robust construction to ensure reliable operation. The welded steel, mono-frame construction provides stability to achieve quality cutting at high feed rates.

Notably, the Puma cutting head incorporates crash protection, motorised focus position adjustment and capacitive height sensing, as well as automated functions for sheet referencing, cutting gas selection, pressure control and nozzle cleaning. High machine dynamics enables productive cutting across a wide range of material types and thicknesses.

Puma’s shuttle table system allows one table to be loaded or unloaded while cutting on the other, keeping throughput at its peak. Table changeover takes just 35 seconds.

To maximise laser cutting output and processing efficiency, Puma can be equipped or retrofitted with any MOVit modular automation system, including: the Compact Tower (CT-L) for loading, unloading and material/parts storage; the Flexible Automation (FA-L) advanced load/unload system; the Tower Automation System (TAS) for single or double-tower storage; or the Warehouse Automation System (WAS), a customisable storage tower system.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

BLM Group unveils LS7 sheet laser cutter

BLM Group says that the key strengths of its new LS7 laser cutter for sheet metal workpieces include cutting speed and accuracy. Furthermore, the system offers high productivity and ease of use, and is provisioned with all the features characteristic of premier systems of its class.

Says Mauricio Gutierrez Matta, global business development manager – sheet metal lasers at BLM Group. “The goal was to supply superior performance at the lowest possible price, which we achieved by only focusing on sheet metal cutting functions and eliminating all the elements previously necessary to integrate tube processing. In an increasingly competitive market, part cost is a fundamental aspect and it is necessary to have the right machine for each specific production process. Only in this way can costs be truly optimised.”

BLM Group’s LS7 was designed as an entry-level product in the high-end system segment, namely a product with all the features and functionality of a high-end system, but at an attractive price. It has a conventional aluminium mobile gantry structure actuated by a rack and pinion system, which slides on a very strong metal structure, filled with polymer concrete to ensure high rigidity even with high acceleration up to 2 G.

The cutting area has been designed to protect the bellows from the glowing sparks thrown in all directions, especially during piercing. Access is only from the short side and the entire
machine remains completely enclosed for safety reasons related to the fibre laser source. The cutting process can be viewed by means of a camera, the image of which is visible on the operator console, on an additional external monitor, and also remotely.
For further information www.blmgroup.com

Enormous energy savings

The Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools at Leibniz University in Hannover has researched how to save energy during machining by adjusting coolant pressure. CADCAM specialist Open Mind provided financial support for the project and supplied the component geometry and programming for milling and analyses. The project revealed a way to determine the optimal level of coolant pressure concerning the degree of tool wear that occurs, resulting in energy savings of up to 33%. In the future, methods based on machine learning will make it possible to control coolant pressure as needed via optimised NC code.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com