FEATURE ON PROFILING

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

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

Autonomous laser cutting cell for Sellafield

The first COTS (commercial off the shelf) robotic installation in the UK nuclear industry has been successfully completed, proving FANUC’s technology in this challenging field. FANUC ARC Mate 120iC and M-900iB/360 robots are playing a starring role in a pioneering waste size reduction project as part of Sellafield’s ongoing decommissioning process.

In a first-of-its-kind autonomous application designed and delivered by integrator Cyan Tec, the new skip sorting and laser cutting cell has reduced the amount of space needed to store radioactive waste to a third of its original footprint. The cell has also slashed the time it takes to dismantle and repack radioactive skips from months to minutes, while eliminating the need for human involvement in this hazardous operation.

Cyan Tec designed and installed a full turnkey laser cutting and handling system to operate autonomously within a nuclear bunker. At the heart of the system are the two six-axis FANUC robots: the compact ARC Mate 120iC for cutting, and the heavy duty M-900iB/360 for panel handling. They were selected above all else for their reliability, which has been proven in accelerated life tests and comes with an eight-year zero maintenance promise.

“The cell had to be 100% reliable, as there was no opportunity for going in and fixing it if anything went wrong,” says Tony Jones, managing director of Cyan Tec. “That’s why we chose technology that had already been proven in demanding industries.”

He continues: “It’s incredible to think that by automating this task we’ve been able to reduce the time it takes to cut down and repack a skip of waste from approximately one month to just 60 minutes.”

More information www.fanuc.eu

AXYZ WARDJet Names Open House Dates

AXYZ WARDJet, a global specialist in CNC router and waterjet cutting systems, will stage an open house and CNC manufacturing expo at its Telford headquarters on 16-17 July. Following a successful run in Ontario, Canada, the event brings the latest in smart manufacturing technology to the UK – offering live machine demonstrations, hands-on experiences and direct access to CNC experts.

With over 30 years of experience, AXYZ and its sister brand WARDJet say they are known for building versatile, high-performance systems that power manufacturers across a broad range of industries – from signage to aerospace, automotive and plastics. The UK open house offers a rare opportunity for professionals to see this technology in action and explore real-world applications tailored to their specific production needs.

The event will feature live CNC router and waterjet demonstrations where visitors can witness machines cutting a wide range of materials, including aluminium, acrylic, foam, wood, stone and composite. Also prominent at the event will be high-speed (40,000 rpm) spindles for twice the output and ultra-clean edges, while a new wire-free automatic loading system streamlines loading without messy cables.

Further attractions are set to include: an on-machine sheet loader that reduces footprint and increases efficiency in material handling; a 10-position automatic tool changer for fast and seamless tool transitions; and expert consultations.

New for 2025 is smart safety technology, with the debut of machine safety innovations that include laser Scanners (creating adjustable safety zones for safer machine interaction) and AI-driven cameras (providing intelligent threat detection and real-time operator monitoring).

More information www.bit.ly/3TDcZJr

Affordable laser cutter features shuttle tables

Bodor Laser, a global specialist in fibre laser cutting technology, has launched its new EC Series, a smart, affordable sheet metal laser cutting solution tailored to the needs of growing manufacturers. The company says its EC Series delivers industrial-grade performance, intelligent control and reliable safety – with affordability at its core.

“The EC Series represents our commitment to democratising advanced laser technology,” says Bodor’s product manager. “By lowering investment barriers, we’re helping more manufacturers step confidently into the era of smart production.”

It was this vision that inspired the EC Series: a response to rising demand for powerful, intelligent cutting solutions without traditional cost or complexity.

According to Bodor, affordable does not mean basic. With a low capital threshold and smart ‘auto-match’ parameter, the EC Series enables faster ROI and easier access to high-quality laser cutting, reports the company.

Dual automatic exchange platforms and a high-speed motion system (up to 1.5 g) allow seamless operation, boosting productivity by minimising downtime and maximising throughput. Furthermore, integrated remnant layout optimisation transforms scrap into valuable resources, directly reducing material costs – a major advantage for cost-conscious manufacturers.

With optional semi-automatic or fully automated loading and unloading systems, the EC Series streamlines workflow, cuts labour costs and boosts productivity.

“Our vision is clear: technology should be powerful but also practical,” adds the Bodor product manager. “The EC Series is how we bring that vision to life for thousands of businesses that want to grow, compete and lead.”

More information www.bodor.com