15 kW fibre laser from Bystronic

Within the framework of regional competence days and the ‘Euroblech Digital Innovation Summit’ online event, Bystronic presented its latest products and solutions for the fields of laser cutting, bending, automation and software.

Among other things, the sheet-metal processing specialist demonstrated how manufacturing environments can be intelligently networked to achieve even higher efficiency.
Numerous highlights were outlined. For instance, in order to offer sheet-metal processing companies even better support in an increasingly competitive environment, Bystronic is now advancing into a new dimension of fibre-laser cutting: the 15 kW ByStar Fiber. According to the company, this high-end fibre laser offers high-precision Bystronic technology and a reliable cutting process (even with the high laser output) to meet a wide range of applications.

The technological leap from conventional 3-12 kW systems to the new 15 kW level is significant: on average, thanks to the 15 kW laser, the cutting speed of the ByStar Fiber increases by up to 50% compared with a 10 kW laser source. As a result, sheet-metal processing companies can benefit from higher productivity at lower unit cost. In short, its 15 kW output means the latest ByStar Fiber cuts steel, aluminium and stainless steel precisely and reliably in thicknesses between 1 and 30 mm, and brass and copper in thicknesses up to 20 mm.
Bystronic’s 15 kW laser output enables extended applications in steel and aluminium of up to 50 mm, and thus offers flexibility both for large series and urgent customer orders. Regardless of whether cutting aluminium, other non-ferrous metals or steel, the Bystronic cutting head is said to excel with maximum precision in both thin and thick sheet. The new power level is available for the ByStar Fiber 3015 and ByStar Fiber 4020.

For further information
www.bystronic.com

Trailblazing with new Kerf machine

Founded over 30 years ago, CLH Trailers has grown into one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of trailers for the agriculture, fishing, marine, sport, leisure and farming industries.

As the product range has grown, so has the factory, staff levels and investment in technology, with the latest addition to the plant list in West Wales being a plasma-cutting machine from Kerf Developments.

Shop-floor foreman Mark Reynolds says: “First and foremost, we wanted to buy British. We looked for a viable option and realised that laser cutting wasn’t suited to our business, whereas plasma was a perfect fit. We found several vendors and then spoke with customers for their testimonials. Out of the UK manufacturers, it was Kerf that had a reputation above all others.”

The company’s new Kerf RUR 2500p plasma machine with 4 x 2 m bed arrived in July. Primarily cutting black steel and aluminium in thicknesses from 1.5 to 25 mm, CLH Trailers specified the RUR2500p with the user-friendly Burny 10 LCD CNC, the 275 A Lincoln Spirit II 275 plasma unit and Lantek software to drive the high-definition Ultrasharp cutting technology.

Building a new factory unit specifically for the Kerf machine, managing director Chris Hussell says: “I wanted a plasma cutter with a robust build quality that was capable of running all day, every day. The Kerf machine has certainly given us that. The plasma unit can cut steel beyond 60 mm thick, which is more than we need, while the precision, repeatability and edge finishes are exceptional. We predict that the machine will pay for itself in less than 2 years.”

Adds Reynolds: “We’ve only had the Kerf machine a matter of weeks but it has already lightened the workload of our staff and machines, streamlining production in the process.”

For further information
www.kerfdevelopments.com

Lehmann ‘turns tables’ on university VMC

A member of the Russell Group, the University of York has more than 30 academic departments, among them the Department of Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry’s research groups cover a wide variety of disciplines, including atmospheric chemistry, renewable technologies and both medical and neuroimaging, all of which are supported by the extensive capabilities of a multi-disciplinary mechanical workshop.

Senior technician Mark Roper says the flexibility of the workshop’s machine tools is vital to its effective operation. Therefore, when the need arises to purchase new equipment, he looks for cost-effective products that add value and increase the workshop’s capabilities.

This policy is reflected in the recent purchase of a pL Lehmann CNC rotary table now fitted to the workshop’s DMG Mori CMX 600V three-axis VMC. The pL Lehmann TF-507510 was chosen as it provides the required levels of precision, ease of use and flexibility. In addition, the design and lower profile of the TF-507510 ensures minimum intrusion into a machine’s working envelope. Therefore, when compared with conventional, bulky rotary tables, the use of the compact TF-507510 results in much greater space being made available for spindle and tool movement.

Since entering operation, the pL Lehmann CNC rotary table has significantly increased the effectiveness of the workshop’s VMC by enabling it to perform efficient 3+2 axis machining.

“Fitting a pL Lehmann CNC rotary table to our existing three-axis VMC has proven a practical way add to achieve five-sided machining in a single set-up and eliminate steps in our processes,” says Roper. “Furthermore, the rigidity of the TF-507510 and its high clamping forces allows high cutting forces to be applied and precision workpieces to be produced.”

For further information
www.lehmann-rotary-tables.com

Mould changes in a limited space

Vehicle component manufacturer ElringKlinger, headquartered in Dettingen an der Erms, Germany, includes high-performance, lightweight plastic products such as oil pans and cam covers in its product portfolio for the global automotive industry.

Tobias Gerst, production engineer responsible for capital equipment procurement and process planning says: “Over the past few years we’ve grown steadily and are running out of space for our production equipment, so we’re sometimes faced with very cramped conditions.”

Space is particularly limited where two automated injection moulding machines operate over three shifts. The machines are located in an enclosure and mould exchange is only possible by entering a narrow, low door. These machines, positioned at an angle of about 120° to each other, require a mould change every 8-9 days. As there is no overhead crane in the factory, it is impossible to load the machines from above. Instead, until recently, operators used one of a number of standard transport carts – a challenging and physically exhausting task.

All that changed with the arrival of a compact transport cart supplied by Roemheld. The RWA 1600 is characterised by its small size, an electro-hydraulic lifting platform and a shuttle table equipped with hydraulically actuated ball bars. In addition, Roemheld can customise the carts to meet specific requirements.

With ball bars set into the support surface of the table, it is easy to move the dies manually in any direction. A special safety mechanism ensures that, during mould transportation, the ball inserts lower into the table surface so the die cannot move.
As standard, Roemheld offers three versions of the 1600 kg capacity cart with either four, six or eight ball bars. After detailed consultation, however, Gerst asked ElringKlinger to produce a special version with nine bars.

For further information
www.roemheld.co.uk

NMIS joins AM association

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has become the first UK member of a new global trade group to advance sustainability in additive manufacturing (AM). NMIS is one of 12 leading organisations to join the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA), created to promote the environmental benefits of AM. AMGTA will serve as a key industry resource to educate the public and industry about these positive environmental benefits, in turn nurturing industry best practice and the adoption of AM as an alternative to traditional manufacturing.

For further information
www.nmis.scot