FEATURE ON PROFILING

Furniture specialist chooses elite laser cutter

Goole-based Elite Office Furniture has invested in a 2D Platino Fiber Evo, laser-cutting machine from Prima Power UK.

“Our policy of making continuous investments in the latest production machinery has allowed us to produce 90% of all of our required components in-house,” says production director Rob Clarke. “This high level of autonomy allows great flexibility and helps us to provide the best possible standards of product quality and service.
“Having considered the laser-cutting machines from several leading manufacturers, we decided that the Prima Power 2D Platino Fiber Evo was the ideal model for our needs,” he adds. “A demonstration proved that the machine was easy to program, simple to operate and straightforward to integrate into our production system. We were satisfied that the Prima Power 2D Platino Fiber Evo was capable of producing high volumes of premium-quality laser-cut parts. It also helped that the Prima Power 2D Platino Fiber Evo met our environmental standards as it has very low power consumption needs and minimal consumable requirements.”
The 2D Platino Fiber Evo is provided with a series of optional suites, each dedicated to different production needs. For instance, Smart Cut, allows the rapid cutting of thin sheets of up to 5 mm and delivers reductions in cycle times of up to 30%, says Prima Power. For the fast laser cutting of medium-to-high thickness sheets, Max Cut, enables reductions in processing times up to 40%, while Night Cut, intended for use in intensive production situations, provides higher piercing and cutting process safety.
For further information www.primapower.com

New investment fast-tracks success at Gripple

When Sheffield-based Gripple UK – a specialist in wire-joining, wire-tensioning and wire-suspension systems – wanted a suitable means of manufacturing a new product, the company turned to Trumpf, its establish supplier of sheet-metal processing machinery. Duly acquiring a TruPunch 3000 to complement an existing TruPunch 1000 model installed three years ago, the machine has been set to work producing Fast Trak, Gripple’s new series of rapid trapeze brackets that are considered a breakthrough in pre-fabricated containment supports.

“Although the TruPunch 3000 is essentially dedicated to one product, it’s great to have a machine that is easy to configure as it means we can adapt to any design iterations that arise,” explains the company’s production manager David Grant. “On top of flexibility, we were also drawn to the machine’s productivity levels.”
The machine has been set to work producing parts for the 11 different sizes of the Fast Trak range. Components are punched from 2 mm thick mild steel and measure up to 1200 mm in length. Essentially, Fast Trak is a simple U-channel in shape, although some of its parts require the generation of complex forms.
“Trumpf showed us the optimum way of producing the forms using their tooling and TruTops Punch software,” states Grant.
“If we hit the anticipated sales volumes we will in all likelihood require another TruPunch 3000 to meet demand,” he adds. “As with all of our in-house manufacturing strategies, we only want to work with the best technology, as this means we get the best cycle times and the best savings.”
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com

Lasers support digital manufacturing

The latest generation of TruDisk lasers from Trumpf offers built-in intelligence to perform condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and trend analysis, all of which support the implementation of lasers in digital and connected manufacturing environments.

At the hub of the TruDisk beam source is the built-in control system known as CPX. This is the laser’s brain, where all of the condition data and process parameters are collected. During processing, sensors measure multiple parameters, including the actual laser output at microsecond intervals, all internal and external signal characteristics, the utilisation rate of the beam source, and the condition of additional components.
TruDisk lasers also incorporate a new feature that enhances the quality of data obtained from the readings. Known as ‘precision time protocol’, the feature synchronises the sensors and provides them with an identical time stamp.
The new lasers can be combined with Trumpf’s condition-based services (modular components of TruConnect, the company’s technology for connected manufacturing), which increase the availability and productivity of connected systems while identifying potential cost savings. With the customer’s prior approval, the services can be used to analyse data parameters, carry out algorithm-based trend analysis and take targeted measures to determine the risk of potential laser failure in advance.
Another improvement can be found in the new Trumpf laser diodes, which are energy efficient to help minimise running costs. Furthermore, Trumpf has equipped the latest TruDisk lasers with a pulse function that makes it possible to ramp the current of the pump diodes down to 0 A.
The new generation of TruDisk laser is available for laser output of between 3 and 5 kW, with fibre core diameters between 100 and 600 µm.
For further information www.trumpf.com

Automated plasma bevelling simplified

Esab has unveiled SmartBevel technology for easier automated plasma programming and bevel cutting with minimal operator intervention. The system includes the data and geometric compensations necessary to cut V, X, Y and K bevels on mild steel from 6 to 50 mm thick. Esab says that unlike competitor systems, SmartBevel integrates all bevel compensations into the CNC to simplify bevel programming and enable operators to quickly fine-tune the program at the machine.

A number of plasma bevelling systems are under-utilised because of programming issues. SmartBevel integrates plasma, CNC, software, height control, bevel head and gantry functions so that users can take full advantage of their plasma-cutting system and maximise productivity.
Many bevelling technologies require programmers to compensate for torch angle, torch height, kerf width and cutting speed in the part program or nest. As a result, operators are prevented from making any adjustments that might be required to produce accurate parts. To make modifications, the operator must go back to the programmer and have the program or nest updated. This can waste time and present an obstacle to producing quality components.
Esab’s SmartBevel improves bevel cutting in two ways. First, the technology delivers more bevel data for more bevel geometries. A high level of automation is offered for the programmer by incorporating best practice bevel cut sequences into Esab’s Columbus III CADCAM programming and nesting software. Second, SmartBevel puts all bevel compensation data into the CNC, not the programming software. Therefore, the part program or nest represents the actual desired part geometry, without bevel compensations. This capability eliminates the need for trial-and-error programming. Instead, operators can quickly make any necessary adjustments at the machine.
For further information www.esab.com

Fibre laser features 8 kW source

LVD has launched its Electra FL 3015 8 kW fibre laser cutting machine. Designed to cut a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials as fast as the thermal process allows without dynamic compromise, the Electra 8 kW can maintain 2 G acceleration speed during operations. The Electra FL also features a new cutting head, new ‘smooth lead-in’ feature, advanced drive system and the latest generation of LVD’s Touch-L control.

Among the capabilities of the new cutting head is automated adjustment of focus position and focus diameter (zoom focus). Zoom focus control can improve piercing times, cutting speeds and cut performance in all material types and thicknesses, says LVD. This functionality can also increase throughput and reduce the need for operator intervention. The ability to change the focal point allows Electra to pierce 20 mm material in just 2 seconds.
The ‘smooth lead-in’ feature guarantees a much faster but stable lead-in after piercing thicker material (greater than 6 mm) with nitrogen. According to LVD, this capability results in an average 15% reduction in part-cutting times.
Two levels of automation are available: the FA-L load/unload system or CT-L compact tower. The latter offers loading, unloading and storage of raw materials and finished parts.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com