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

Hypertherm has announced its most significant advance in mechanised plasma cutting ever with the introduction of an entirely new class of plasma called X-Definition, which is designed for use on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The plasma is available for the first time in a 300 Amp plasma system called the XPR300.
Laboratory testing shows ISO-9013 Range 2 cut quality on thin mild steel and extended ISO Range 3 cuts on thicker metals. To reach this point Hypertherm engineers had to develop a number of new patent-pending processes like Vented Water Injection (VWI) and plasma dampening, and new vent-to-shield technologies. The end result is squarer cut edges, markedly less angularity, and high surface finish on non-ferrous metals, says the company.
The XPR300 cuts faster and uses power more efficiently than earlier Hypertherm systems such as the HyPerformance HPR260XD. Piercing capability is also improved thanks to increased power and an exclusive argon-assist process which enables 30% thicker piercing on mild steel and a 20% increase on stainless steel. Additionally, consumable life and cut quality over the life of the consumables get a boost from advances such as ‘Cool Nozzle’ and ‘Arc Response’ technology. The latter protects consumables from the negative impact of ramp-down errors, a regular occurrence in real-life cutting. By reducing the impact of ramp-down errors, XPR consumables can last up to last three times longer than on competitive, older-generation systems.
Also worthy of note, sensors in the power supply deliver refined diagnostic codes and enhanced system-monitoring information. This is said to reduce troubleshooting time and provide proactive data to improve overall system optimisation and uptime.
For further information
www.hypertherm.com

Mantech has announced that its first UK fibre-laser installation is a 750 W system at Nottingham-based Storer Refrigeration & Catering Manufacturers Ltd.
Business owner and managing director Graham Storer established the company in 1975 to serve the commercial refrigeration market. Indeed, it wasn’t long before Storer and his team made a name for themselves designing and building their own cold rooms. In the 1980s, the development of new products led to expansion, centred mainly on state-of-the-art technology and processes in combination with a growing workforce.
The addition of the fibre-laser cutter from Mantech has already reduced outsourcing and stockholding costs, as Storer now has the ability to produce components on demand,
and carry out modifications
and prototyping on-site. Furthermore, the company is enjoying a reduction in consumables such as drills and sanding and cutting discs, thanks to the edge quality produced by the fibre laser on components that would usually require further finishing.
In total, the company estimates it saves around £60,000 per annum from no longer buying-in finished components and consumables. Add to this savings of around £140,000 per annum in labour costs, and as a result of improved productivity, and the financial benefits are plain to see.
“The laser is amazing, it works 8 hours a day with no problems and is the best investment I have made,” states Storer.
Mantech can supply fibre laser cutting system starting from £39,000, with finance options available. Furthermore, to complement the lasers, the company has also introduced a new range of press brakes described as “high-specification” and “value for money”.
For further information
www.mantechmachinery.co.uk