Hot-stamped parts are increasingly replacing traditional metal-formed parts in the manufacture of vehicle frames. For instance, among the trends gaining momentum is the adoption of a new door-ring concept, whereby an element is hot stamped as a single part rather than the usual four parts. With this in mind, Prima Power has released a laser cutter that is focused on this specific application: Laser Next 2130. According to Prima Power, the new model maintains the performance of the existing 1530, but offers increased working volume in the Y-axis to suit the cutting of large, hot-stamped components.
Laser Next 2130 has a working volume of 3050 x 2100 x 612 mm, with a 5 m turntable. To suit throughput in automotive industry applications, this capacity is supported by a trajectory speed of 208 m/min and 2.1 g acceleration. The machine can be equipped with a 3 or 4 kW high-brilliance fibre laser developed and manufactured by Prima Power. Direct motors and transducers are used for the machine’s main axes and focusing head.
Prima Power says it is the only laser machine manufacturer to develop all essential elements of its products in-house, including the company’s new CF series generators.
“We could already offer the best and fastest solution for the cutting of standard sized hot-stamped components,” explains Marco Pivanti, 3D laser product manager, “but we needed an evolution of the Laser Next 1530 featuring an increased Y-axis stroke to allow the processing of larger components, such as the door ring.”
For further information
www.primapower.com

Amada’s latest series of LCG-AJ flat-bed laser cutters is equipped with the company’s own 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 kW oscillators. Amada says it was the first manufacturer of laser machines to develop its own fibre-laser source, with production and testing taking place at the company’s Fujinomiya factory in Japan.
Most models in the LCG-AJ range incorporate an automatic nozzle changer for uninterrupted processing, and all are compatible with Amada’s Digital Support System (ADSS), which not only facilitates the delivery of service support but allows customers to analyse and compare machine performance.
The working range across the LCG-AJ series extends from 3070 x 1550 mm (LCG-3015AJ) to 4070 x 2050 mm (LCG-3015AJ), which is served by positioning speeds of up to 170 m/min – said to be the fastest in its class. According to Amada, using individual high-power diode modules allows for high beam quality, giving the end user higher cutting speeds compared with systems offering a lower beam quality. Furthermore, each machine has a lightweight Y-axis carriage with a low centre of gravity that provides a 30% weight reduction.
Amada’s latest AMNC 3i control ensures simple operation with its smartphone-type 21.5” screen, including on-screen nesting, program scheduling and one-touch set-up features.
LCG-3015AJ machines are fully compatible with Amada’s latest part-picking system, the TK L, which is said to offer high-speed removal and stacking of finished components. All LCG-AJ machines can be equipped with load\unload systems.
For further information
www.amada.co.uk

Ballymena-based Arcon Engineering has recently invested in a RUR3500P machine from Kerf Developments that features a Lincoln Electric Spirit 400 Amp plasma unit with Ultrasharp technology. Arcon says that the machine is powerful enough to cut through material far beyond the scope of a laser. In addition, the system incorporates a water reservoir that keeps the cutting torches cool and extends the life of consumables.
“We wanted the quality of laser without the cost; Kerf gave us the alternative with their new RUR3500P with Ultrasharp technology,” says managing director Paschal McLoughlin. “The cut quality and precision was outstanding, while the cost wasn’t anywhere near the price of a laser machine. Furthermore, the Kerf RUR3500P is more flexible as the high-definition unit is powerful enough to cut through material far beyond the scope of a laser.”
The design and technology built into the Lincoln Electric Spirit system incorporates a water reservoir that keeps the cutting torches cool. Among the benefits of this technology is that torch and consumable life are said to be extended considerably. Furthermore, the high-powered system has a lower gas consumption. The result for Arcon is a more powerful machine with significantly reduced operating and consumable costs. For a business that is sometimes running its machines 24 hours a day, the savings over the life of the machine are expected to be sizeable. In fact, trials by Kerf have shown that this technology uses up to 78% less plasma gas than competitor machines.
From a capability perspective, the 400 Amp system can cut plate up to
75 mm thick, which gives Arcon the potential to extend its workload beyond existing plate thicknesses.
For further information
www.kerfdevelopments.com

The liquid-cooled cutting head on Haco Kingsland’s latest-generation FL series fibre-laser cutter features the ability to apply ‘Parallel Kinematics Technology’ for dynamic 5G cutting processes. The technology is said to save users time, space and money.
Offering 3 or 4 m capacity, the machines can be supplied with either 3 or 4 kW laser resonators together with an integrated loading and unloading system. The result is a compact laser-cutting cell with a footprint of less than 11 x 6 m that is suitable for unmanned operation.
Thanks to the ability of modern fibre-laser cutting processes to reduce cycle times, especially for thin materials, automation of loading and unloading processes has become a must. The automatic loading station for the FL series contains a novel gripper concept. Exiting out of a vertically-moving frame, the gripper is equipped with intelligent suction cups, a separator unit, double-sheet detector and separation air-blow. In combination with the automatic scratch-free unloading system, this allows efficient unmanned production for improved cost per part ratios, as well as enhanced profitability and return on investment, says the company. Sheet stability is assured via the deployment of three CNC retractable clamps.
According to Haco Kingsland, FL series laser cutters are highly suitable for continuous nesting operations on different sheet sizes and thicknesses.
For further information
www.kingsland.com

Thanks to its investment in the latest TruPunch 1000 CNC punching machine from Trumpf, Birmingham-based lighting manufacturer Candela Light is enjoying a 50% increase in production speed (and hence throughput) over its two previous turret punch presses. The machine was purchased alongside a TruBend 3066
CNC press brake and the
latest TruTops Boost software that allows the company to generate programs at the
touch of a button.
Having experienced strong growth in the past 12 months (Candela now employs 28 people), the company decided to reinvest some of its profits back into the business. Of particular focus was Candela’s turret punch presses, which were ageing and had become a little unreliable.
“We knew that technology had moved on, so we decided to assess the main players in the market to see about buying a replacement,” explains the company’s managing director Nigel Astley. “At first, we thought about replacing the turret punches with a fibre laser profiling centre, but the Trumpf representative explained that we would be much better off with a TruPunch machine based on the type of parts we process. As a result, we invested in the TruPunch 1000.
“Unlike our previous turret punches, which only had a couple of auto-index stations, all tools on the TruPunch 1000 – including Trumpf’sMultiTools – can be rotated through 360°,” continues Astley. “Furthermore, the machine is 50% faster than our previous capability and we no longer have to remove parts from a skeleton frame and perform deburring.”
Although the TruPunch 1000 can process sheets up to 6.4 mm thick, Candela typically processes aluminium up to 4 mm, and copper and brass up to 1.2 mm.
For further information
www.uk.trumpf.com