A the recent 27^th 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

Laser marking and engraving is critical for unique part identification (UID), compliance and branding. However, capacity constraints and labour shortage issues can create serious throughput challenges. To increase output and improve profit per part, forward-thinking manufacturers are transforming their laser marking operations with advanced robotic machine tending. Foba Laser Marking + Engraving now works with Flexxbotics and Universal Robots to help companies achieve high throughput and marking quality.

Laser marking is a critical stage of the product value stream in many manufacturing processes. Bottlenecks can cause serious delivery problems and mistakes can render the product unsellable. By introducing collaborative robot (cobot) automation with lean manufacturing principles, manufacturers can improve laser marking processes to maximise throughput, assure quality and reduce waste. 

“Connecting robotic machine tending with our Foba laser marking solution using Flexxbotics provides even greater ROI,” states Jeffrey Kniptash of Foba. “It enables autonomous process control to remove bottlenecks and deliver continuous operation.”

The solution can increase the machine-to-man ratio to 10:1 or more and run ‘lights out’ safely. Thus, manufacturers will benefit from additional capacity, high precision, optimal marking quality and improved profit margins, reports Foba Laser.

Flexxbotics includes communication with Foba’s integrated camera system for vision-based inspection, providing closed-loop feedback to the robot for autonomous process control. Foba’s three-stage laser marking process HELP (Holistic Enhanced Laser Process) – which includes part inspection prior to marking, automatic mark alignment and subsequent marking validation – co-ordinates with the robot’s actions. Flexxbotics utilises either the Intelligent Mark Positioning (IMP) or Point & Shoot (P&S) capabilities in the Foba equipment for precise alignment of the laser marker on the customer’s product, along with vision-assisted workflows for accuracy.

More information www.fobalaser.com

Siemens and Prima Power, an Italy-headquartered manufacturer of sheet metal working machinery and 3D laser cutting technology, have announced the result of an intensified collaboration that the companies say will redefine standards in the automotive manufacturing industry. The collaboration has led to the integration of Siemens’ leading numerical control system, Sinumerik One, into the latest model of Prima Power’s flagship 3D laser cutter, Laser Next.

The Laser Next 1530/2130 is the first Prima Power 3D laser cutter to feature Sinumerik One. This collaboration leverages Siemens’ control and digitalisation systems and over 40 years of Prima Power expertise in laser technology for automotive applications. The new version of the Laser Next five-axis laser cutter incorporates technologies that improve dynamic performance and productivity thanks to the flexible and high-performance multi-core architecture of Sinumerik One in combination with Prima Power’s proprietary algorithms.

The digital twin of Sinumerik One – Create My Virtual Machine – was a key element in Prima Power’s digital transformation, helping the company’s R&D department to simulate and test workflows in a completely virtual environment. This technology made it possible to engineer and optimise the machine even before the real-life prototype was made available, with significant shortening of machine’s time to market.

The digital twin of the Laser Next enables the creation of an accurate digital replica: the entire process eliminates the need for physical machining on the shop floor for certain activities. Furthermore, in Sinumerik One, it is possible to enable collision avoidance functionalities even in complex scenarios, involving cutting machines integrated with robotic solution.

The machine’s compatibility and integration capability have also seen significant enhancement.

More information www.primapower.com