A contract to supply metal bread baskets for the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant was the catalyst for a laser-cutting company to invest in Radan sheet-metal CADCAM software.

Vincent Glatre, plant manager at Métal Industrie, says: “The proprietary software with our laser cutter couldn’t solve the complex programming required for these components, and generated more knockouts than parts on the sheet.” The company urgently looked at several software systems, and the first tests with Radan’s nesting module enabled Métal Industrie to meet the order’s deadline.
“Beyond the immediate resolution of our nesting issue, we immediately saw a 10% reduction in cutting times, thanks to program optimisation,” says Mr Glatre.
He says that since then, Métal Industrie has strengthened its software step-by-step to make it a productivity tool every bit as valuable as a new machine.
“In the early days we used the software that came with our machines, which was fine for simple cutting and common issues, but as we took on increasingly complex work we needed Radan’s automation features, which were capable of optimising the nests, to save costs on raw material and increase productivity.”
Like many companies, Métal Industrie originally prepared its quotes on internally-developed spreadsheets. However, the company simplified procedures by integrating Radan’s Radquote software, which mastered all the required technologies while also supporting other data necessary for accurate and functional costing, such as analysis and transport.
“Its full flexibility means we can adapt it to the specific needs of each customer,” says Glatre.
For further information www.radan.com

Under the banner ‘Suspension jet cutting – the most efficient way of waterjet cutting’, a specialist in mobile waterjet cutting, ANT Applied New Technologies AG, presented a trade fair highlight at the recent EMO 2019 exhibition in Hanover. ANT’s ConSus system is said to represent the next generation of portable waterjet cutting.

The novel waterjet cutting system claims to achieve double to triple the cutting speeds of conventional systems by eliminating air, and all this at a pressure of only 1500 bar. Where traditional injection processes reach their efficiency limits, systems by ANT have been designed to convince with high process accuracy and speed, as well as savings of 50% in running costs.
ANT also scores when it comes to material thicknesses of up to 1000 mm with good surface structure. The company invited EMO visitors to convince themselves of the quality of the machines by calling on the company’s stand to inspect its cutting exhibits, such as the combustion chamber of the Ariane 5 rocket and a cut piece from the dismantling of an offshore structure. The ConSus machine was awarded the Best of Industry Award 2018 in the category ‘Forming Technology’.
ANT Applied New Technologies AG, a specialist for water abrasive suspension (WAS) and special-purpose machinery, used EMO 2019 to present live demonstrations on its stand.
For further information https://ant-ag.com/en

Ecoclean has introduced EcoCvelox, which offers high-pressure waterjet deburring combined with low-pressure cleaning processes, in a one-piece flow system.

Process-reliably and repeatable quality when it comes to deburred and cleaned parts are crucial for the success of subsequent processes such as bonding, sealing and assembly, as well as for perfect product function. With the completely new system concept EcoCvelox, Ecoclean introduces a flexible, modular solution for cost-efficient, high-pressure waterjet deburring and cleaning in a single procedure.
The process-dependent, configurable and expandable machine with integrated linear transport system enables the processing of parts with dimensions up to 200 x 200 x 200 mm in cycle times of only 15 seconds per palette. An integrated CADCAM interface allows for quick and easy programming of the high-pressure deburring process, either with a single spindle or a high-pressure turret featuring up to five tools.
In combination with a system for parts handling, process operations for new workpieces can be implemented in short timeframes, says the company. Component cleaning and drying can be carried out by means of injection flood washing, spraying, controlled rinsing and ultrasound, as well as high-speed blowing and vacuum drying. Furthermore, the system can be loaded automatically with a robot or portal system, as well as manually.
For further information https://ecoclean-group.net/

CadCam Technology, which provides laser cutting machines to the automotive, medical, military and education sectors, ensures the precision of its machines by using Huco Flex M couplings.

Thin-pressed, heat-treated steel membranes allow the Flex M to help tolerate and compensate for any slight misalignment, with torque resolved to simple tensile stresses in opposing segments of the membranes. In the double-stage version specified by CadCam Technology, the two membranes provide even greater misalignment capacity, which effectively insulates the laser element from any transmitted stresses the shaft may produce, maintaining a precise cut during operation.
This capability is highly advantageous, as the Huco coupling enables the accuracy of the X axis (the axis on which the laser moves) to be maintained by its action on the driveshaft. As a result, machine accuracy is kept to within 0.025 mm.
Huco’s Flex M coupling sees use on CadCam Technology’s certified Class 1 machines, which use water or air-cooled CO2 lasers. Software controls the adjustment of both cutting speed and laser power output, which results in a fine, accurate depth of cut. In addition, closed-loop servo motors and hardened steel rails combine to provide precision movements with up to 2G of acceleration.
High-speed operation is supported by the Flex M’s dynamically balanced construction, which delivers a maximum speed of up to 5,000 rpm. Torque range extends from 0.9 to 11.3 Nm. In addition, the coupling’s kinematic properties and its low bearing loads ensure that it places minimal stress on associated components and assemblies, safeguarding overall service life of the machine. These characteristics mean the Flex M is suitable for dynamic position and velocity control systems, making it a popular choice in precision applications across the engineering spectrum.
For further information www.huco.com

As part of its planned process of continuous investment in the latest manufacturing technologies, Dudley-based 2D and 3D laser-cutting specialist GF Laser has installed a Trumpf TruLaser Cell 5030 5-axis CNC laser-profiling machine, the first such model in the UK.

“With this machine we are investing in the latest fibre technology,” states Simon Tregillus, director of GF Laser. “The TruLaser Cell 5030 has replaced our original Trumpf TLC CUT 5 machine and is running alongside our existing TruLaser Cell 7040, which has been retained.”
GF Laser’s TLC CUT 5 was purchased in 2006 and, although still performing well, the introduction of the latest TruLaser Cell 5030 is moving the company into another league regarding speed and energy efficiency.
The machine has been set to work on the five-axis profiling and trimming of pressings, extrusions and spinnings – any component containing a form – for sectors such as automotive, yellow goods, construction, architecture and art. Materials processed on the TRUMPF TruLaser Cell 5030 include mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The machine also allows GF Laser to process reflective materials such as copper and brass in five axes, a task not previously possible using the company’s CO2-based TruLaser Cell 7040.
GF Laser, which is ISO 9001:2015 accredited, has grown its turnover from £2m to £3.5m in the past three years, and today employs 25 people.
“With the incredible cutting speeds of modern laser cutters, growing numbers of customers are turning to this technology instead of investing in a press tool, which creates more business for GF Laser,” says Tregillus. “The arrival of the TruLaser 5030 Cell allows us to accelerate the processing of existing work, thus creating more capacity.”
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com