Amada ENSIS now in 12 kW version

Amada has released its latest high-power fibre laser cutting machine, the ENSIS-AJ 12 kW, which adds to the currently available 3, 6 and 9 kW versions. For the 12 kW version, 3 x 4 kW diode modules (the highest power, single module yet produced by Amada) are utilised to ensure very high beam quality for faster cutting speeds. This technology also opens new avenues for thicker mild steel processing with nitrogen, up to 15 mm. The new ECO WACS system for thick mild steel processing with oxygen further enhances the overall package.

WACS (Water Assisted Cutting System) has been standard on the fully featured ENSIS-AJ fibre lasers since the original launch in 2014 and allows very high-quality oxygen processing of thick mild steel. ECO Cut was used for lower thickness oxygen processing (10-15 mm), for speed increases and running cost reductions. Now, ECO WACS combines both these features to allow very thick mild steel processing with an extremely high edge quality and improved bevel angle, while maintaining fast cutting and piercing capabilities.

Higher power also brings the advantage of processing thicker mild steel with nitrogen to give an oxide-free cutting edge. The 12 kW ENSIS-AJ can now process up to 15 mm mild steel with nitrogen and utilises Amada’s Clean Fast Cut (CFC) process to increase cutting speeds and reduce gas consumption by up to 70% compared with standard nitrogen processing. This capability opens new opportunities for customers in the construction, agricultural and yellow goods markets. In particular, the significantly higher cutting speeds (compared with oxygen) result in quicker deliveries for the end user.

Central to the advanced capability of ENSIS-AJ fibre lasers is Amada’s Variable Beam Control technology, whereby the laser beam mode is automatically adapted to deliver stable cutting across all material types and thicknesses.

For further information
www.amada.eu

Exceptional UK sales of Bodor laser cutters

World Machinery, the UK representative for Bodor laser cutting machines, is reporting exceptional sales of the Bodor i7 fibre laser. During September and October, the company delivered and installed six Bodor i7 machines, a highly affordable model that offers large capacity (3000 x 1500 mm sheet, up to 20 mm thick mild steel) within a compact footprint (6000 x 2300 mm).

The six latest recipients of the machine are: Advent Ductwork Systems (Addlestone), BT Lerson (Stansted), D&A Engineering (Hemel Hempstead), J&M Engineering (Melton Mowbray), Profab (Coventry) and Langley Projects (Manchester). All machines feature an automatic focus cutting head, edge sheet detection and 21.5” touchscreen fitted with Bodor Pro 2.5 software that World Machinery says makes operation very easy, even to new users.

“Each installation is completed by our team of engineers, which is followed by operator training,” explains World Machinery’s managing director Wayne Hipkiss. “All Bodor lasers are supplied with a 3-year manufacturer warranty that is comprehensively supported by our in-house engineers and Bodor UK resident engineers. Unlimited spares and consumables are offered ex-stock to ensure 24/7 production for all Bodor users.”

The company is also reporting big demand for high-power Bodor fibre lasers (12 kW and beyond). Willenhall-based Fastline Steel Services, for example, has taken delivery of its second Bodor laser – a P4020-12 (4000 x 2000 mm, 12 kW) – to increase its capacity in the production of steel fencing.

Another P4020-12 is due for installation this month at SM Thompson in Middlesbrough, where it will replace a fibre laser by another manufacturer. Furthermore, a P3015-12 (3000 x 1500 mm, 12 kW) is going to Cube Metals Ltd in Uxbridge. This machine, which replaces a plasma cutter, will feature an iTrans automatic loading and unloading system.

For further information
www.worldmc.co.uk

Five-year warranty

Filtermist International has introduced a new five-year warranty that is totally free of charge, with the package covering key non-consumable components, including the motor. Filtermist International CEO James Stansfield says: “We’ve manufactured our compact, centrifugal oil mist filters for more than 50 years and, in that time, we’ve perfected our manufacturing processes. We are putting our money where our mouth is by offering a free five-year warranty to all of our customers as we know our units are designed to keep working for the long haul.”

For further information
www.filtermist.com

Magnetic platens boost productivity

Polypipe Building Services is leveraging the additional benefits offered by Stäubli’s QMC122 range of magnetic platens to further improve productivity levels in the manufacture of the company’s injection moulded plastic waste fittings.

Within the plastics injection moulding sector, a key element in attaining target productivity levels is reducing the time required to change mould tools. The traditional method requires multiple bolts to be undone and clamps removed to release the mould tool from the platens. Users then have to replace these bolts and clamps and correctly re-tighten them to secure the new tool in place.

Magnetic platens offer a quicker and simpler solution to mould tool changes and the Polypipe Building Services site in Aylesford, Kent has experience of using this technology, as Steve Tulett, Polypipe’s manufacturing innovation manager, explains: “We adopted magnetic platen technology some time ago and quickly realised the benefits in terms of simpler and faster tool changes, saving on average around 30 minutes each time. However, we continually review the technologies available to ensure that we can take advantage of any new developments. We identified Stäubli’s QMC122 range of magnetic platens as a solution that provides a number of additional benefits, such as greater levels of feedback from the interface, which allows us to obtain an exact measurement of the clamping force when we install the new tools.”

Stäubli’s QMC solution integrates an interactive control panel which enables the validation of the safety points during mould changing operations. Also, the system accurately controls clamping force in real time.

The QMC 122 range is currently in use on a 150T Demag Ergotech Machine and a new Haitian 160T machine.

For further information
www.staubli.com

End-of-arm gripper ecosystem

The new Match gripper ecosystem available from Zimmer Group enables robots to utilise multiple gripper types and end effectors, further enhancing the capability and functionality of these already flexible systems. Targeted at lightweight industrial and collaborative robots, the proprietary platform is the result of a joint project between Zimmer Group and J Schmalz GmbH that combines gripping technology expertise.

This gripper change system can be operated either automatically, with the robot releasing and collecting different grippers or end effectors to and from a docking station, or manually with just one hand in just a few seconds using simple click-to-remove functionality. The system is compatible with pneumatically or electrically operated grippers which utilise either vacuum or mechanical gripping principles.

Zimmer’s quick-change system incorporates the mechanical interface together with pneumatic and electrical connections. These options make it possible for the system to be used by many different robot types and a wide variety of end effectors. For electrically operated grippers, the quick-change system is capable of hot-swapping, changing grippers during live operation with the integrated pin array transmitting both the load and signal currents. For pneumatic/vacuum-based grippers, four internal and two lateral channels supply the gripper systems with compressed air or vacuum pressure.

The design, combined with high levels of manufacturing quality, guarantees a long service life greater than 100,000 cycles. Notably, the position and orientation of the fixed and interchangeable elements of the system are clearly defined in use, eliminating the potential for misalignment of the two halves. The flexibility of the system gives the user access to a wide range of applications, whether they are with mobile robots, collaborative robots or other types of automation.

For further information
www.zimmer-group.com