Automated laserproduction line off to Japan

Last month, many large trucks lined up in the Wenzhou, China factory of Pentium Laser. A high-power, high-speedautomated laser cutting production line – developed and manufactured by Pentium Laser – was inspected and accepted by the Japanese customer, prior to loading and shipping.

The automated production line consists of three BOLTVII12kW laser cutting machines, a 10-layer intelligent 3D plate material library, and a fully automatic loading and unloading system. Its core intelligence arrives courtesy of the production line’s central control operating system. Independently developed by Pentium Laser, the control can realise operations such as the automatic entry and exit of plates, management of the plate material library, plate loading and unloading, automatic nozzle change, automatic edge inspection,and rapid cutting.The whole process requires no manual intervention. At the same time, the production line offers enhanced safety production measures.

The commissioning of this production line is an indicator that the traditional model for sheet metal production is accelerating towards all-round intelligent manufacturing of components via automated laser cutting technology.

With the rapid development and upgrading of the global manufacturing industry, the demand for high-end manufacturing equipment in various countries is increasing. As a major enterprise in China’s high-power laser intelligent equipment, Pentium Laser has continuously increased its investment in scientific and technological innovation over recent years. The company today focuses on the cross-application research of laser and intelligent manufacturing technology, providing smart and bespoke industry solutions for global customers.

More information www.pentalaser.com

WJS introduces automatic calibration tool

Maintaining consistently high precision in waterjet cutting requires meticulous calibration, particularly after a tool change. Traditionally, this process has demanded both expertise and time, as accurate calibration is essential to upholding cutting precision. Water Jet Sweden says its new Auto TCP Calibration Tool transform’s this critical step, automating the process for improved efficiency and reliability. With the new tool, calibration is completed in a fraction of the time, eliminating the need for specialised skills while consistently delivering precise results.

The Auto TCP Calibration Tool comprises three key components: special softwarefor seamless integration with the machine’s control system; ameasuring probe with robustbase plateforconsistent measurement accuracy; and a calibration ball thatprovides a fixed reference point for tool alignment.According to Water Jet Sweden, this combination ensures precision in all types of angled cutting. It is suitable for use on machines equipped with Alphajet, Beveljet or FiveX cutting heads.

“For an experienced operator, manual calibration typically takes 15-30 minutes, and even longer for less experienced users,” explains Stefan Johansson, system developer at Water Jet Sweden. “With the Auto TCP Calibration Tool, operators can complete the calibration process in just 3-5 minutes, with no risk of human error. The process is fully documented, with all changes verified and logged for future reference.”

Whether working with small batches or large-scale projects, the Auto TCP Calibration Tool helps optimise productivity without compromising quality. Its ease of use eliminates the need for advanced expertise, making it accessible for operators at all skill levels.

Ultimately, the Auto TCP Calibration Tool improves operational performance for perpendicular cutting, bevel cutting and freeform 3D cutting.

More information www.waterjetsweden.co.uk

Bystronic releases its sustainability report

Laser cutting machine manufacturer Bystronic has published its latest sustainability report (for 2023), showcasing its progress in ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance.

Sustainability has many dimensions, and it represents countless business development and growth opportunities. With its systems, service and software, Bystronic says it is taking a leading role in advancing sustainability and decarbonising the sheet metal industry. The company is implementing eco-design principles in its product development process, reusing spare parts, refurbishing machines and increasing machine lifetime through engineering solutions that offer extended service lives and reduced defects.

Bystronic is also accelerating efforts to improve the energy and resource efficiency of its systems and solutions, avoiding emissions and contributing to a lower-carbon economy.

The company is committed to becoming a more sustainable business for the benefit of employees, customers, stakeholders and society. Sustainability focuses on reducing our environmental impact, providing optimal workplace conditions for employees, and ensuring an ethical and comprehensive oversight of the business.

In 2023, Bystronic stepped up its decarbonisation efforts. The company joined the Science-Based Targets initiative and pledged to reduce its carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2) further, as well as those of suppliers and customers (Scope 3). By 2030, Bystronic aims to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42%, and Scope 3 emissions by 25%.

The company isalso improving resource efficiency and reducing waste through circular processes: recycling, reusing and repurposing. In fact, Bystronic wants to reduce waste by 20% by 2030.

On the people side, the company is setting goals to increase the diversity of its workforce, particularly the percentage of women in leadership positions. More information www.bit.ly/3DieBmK

Elevating production with 2D laser cutter

What advantages can a laser cutting machine provide? Simone and Luca Guida, long-time clients of Prima Power at their Turin-based family business Guida Srl, have a few things to share. Their latest investment is an 8kW Platino Linear 1530 fibre laser, Prima Power’s newest addition to the market.

“Prima Power involved us and other producers in developing this machine,” explains Simone Guida. “We provided a list of suggestions, including a 3m front opening, which were integrated into the design. This highlights Prima Power’s responsiveness to its customers’ needs.”

Prima Power’s Platino Linear 1530 laser cutter, with its 8kW fibre power source, handles 3000×1500 mm metal sheets within a compact design. The arrival of this machine improved Guida’ production and workflow efficiency.

“The Platino Linear 1530stands out for its flexibility, thanks to its fully unrestricted front opening, which is essential for swift sheet loading,” says Simone. “To maximise productivity, we’ve integrated two automatic towers with 46 cassettes, significantly enhancing our competitiveness and opening up new market opportunities.” 

Adds Luca: “We build machine parts, guards, panels and cabinets, as well as packaging solutions and furnishings. This diversification ensures a constant workflow without interruptions to production. With the introduction of the Platino Linear, we expect a significant boost in our production capacity, thanks to its unmatched speed and flexibility.

The machine allows us to achieve remarkable precision, even with thicker materials, and has substantially increased our speed: we’ve doubled our cutting speed compared with before”.

Another significant advantage of Platino Linear is its linear motors, which reduce the need for maintenance to practically zero.

More information www.primapower.com

Amada showcases latest laser innovations

A the recent 27th edition of the EuroBlech exhibition in Germany, Amada presented its wide portfolio of solutions, includingnew lasers and features for increased profitability.

For instance, the ultra-high-acceleration three-axis linear drive Regius-3015AJe, utilising Amada’sVariable Beam Control (VBC) technology for stepless laser beam shape alteration, has a 26kW twin-module Amada fibre laser engine to show new processing possibilities in the mid-to-thick material range. Changing the beam shape almost instantaneously between piercing and cutting allows operators to use the correct beam properties during all stages of laser processing.

Also on show was the new 9kW Ventis-3015Aje, which has similar performance to 10-12kW solid-state lasers thanks to Amada’sLocus Beam Control (LBC) technology and 9kW single-diode module engine. Easy processing of various thick mild steels, high-speed aluminium processing and the LBC Flash Cut system for ultra-high-speed small hole processing will benefit customers. The manufacturing cell at EuroBlech featured a compact double tower storage system with 34 shelves, increasing lights-out possibilities.

Another machine on show was Amada’s new ENSIS-3015AJe with VBC technology. The 15kW single-diode module engine gives the highest laser beam quality in the sector, says the company. According to Amada, its Fiber Silky Cut system provides stainless steel cutting possibilities comparable with CO2 lasers – useful for those in the medical and food sectors. At EuroBlech, the machine was combined with a single automation storage tower, a new TKII part removal system with increased picking capabilities and a label printer, allowing the automatic application of part identification before component removal. 

More information www.amada.eu