Trumpfhas upgraded TruLaser 5000 series by fitting a laser that provides twice the power that was formerly standard. With an output of 24 kW, the new laser – a TruDisk 24001 – can process sheet-metal parts up to three times more quickly. Depending on the material and application, the upgraded TruLaser 5000 can handle up to 80% more sheets of metal per hour.

“Increased laser power means companies can slash processing times while also improving the quality of processed parts,” says product manager Patrick Schüle. “Offering a patented cutting unit, automated functions and dynamic performance, this technology significantly boosts productivity. With double the laser power, the new machine can cut parts much faster. In addition, the more powerful TruLaser 5000 is able to cut mild steel with a sheet thickness of up to 20 mm using nitrogen as the cutting gas. This eliminates the need for reworking that arises when oxygen is used.”

With a 12 kW laser, sheet-metal processors are able to cut sheets of mild steel to a maximum thickness of 15 mmwith nitrogen as the cutting gas. In order to cut thicker parts, it is necessary to add oxygen, which leads to the formation of an oxide layer on the cut edges of the part. Alternatively, companies can use a plasma machine to cut thick parts, although this is much slower and less precise, reports Trumpf. By contrast, the 24 kW machine can handle sheet thicknesses of up to 20 mm using nitrogen. As a result, there is barely any need for reworking and productivity increases. At the same time, the increased laser power improves the quality of cut parts, especially for medium and high sheet thicknesses.
For further information www.trumpf.com

At theEuroBLECH exhibition in Germanylate last year, US-headquartered Mate Precision Technologies demonstrated the features and benefits of its full line of solutions for punching, including the Mate QCT quick-change tooling line¬¬ and the Mate Versadie for better slitting of thick materials.

According to Mate, its QCT thick-turret tooling takes insert-style punching systems to a whole new level. The tool-less punch retention mechanism makes changing the punch insert a breeze: simply flip the durable latch to remove and snap the new insert into place. There are no tools to use, break or lose when changing the punch insert.

Mate Metric QCT is fully compatible with Mate’s Ultra family of guides and canisters, Mate’s Original Style guides, spring packs and Rapidset canisters. The punches are fully interchangeable with Amada NCT, NEX and Z-Tooling systems, as well as Wilson thick-turret metric punches. Also available are AMX QCT for Amada air-blow systems and MXC QCT for Wilson Series 90 systems.

The Versadie HD includes several proprietary design features for clamp-clearing solutions. First, there is no need to replace the entire die with replaceable die inserts. Versadie inserts allow for the greatest lengths currently available in the industry, up to 115.82mm for E Stations and 90.42mm for D Stations.

Versadie HD offers improved slitting in thicker materials that require more than 0.406mm total die clearance. The base incorporates a hat-die feature to withstand the punching of heavier materials. Notably, the die inserts are fully interchangeable with the standard Versadie.

For superior performance and longevity, all Versadie slitting die inserts are made from MPM82 tool steel. Designed for use in high-performance tooling systems, MPM82 is a high-speed, particle metallurgy steel intended to provide value and versatility in slitting operations.
For further information www.matetoolingsolutions.co.uk

At the EuroBLECH show in Germany late last year, ConSus ANT presented the ConSus abrasive mixing unit, which now also enables continuous Water Abrasive Suspension (WAS) processes. In addition, the specialist for stationary waterjet cutting presented its new Abrasive Recycling Unit ARU (pictured) for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly recycling of abrasive.

The emergence of ever-new, challenging materials places high demands on users in the machining industry. ConSus ANT says that its abrasive mixing unit enables fast, precise and powerful cutting of all common materials in the continuous WAS process without any effects on the material or structure. Compared with the conventional Water Abrasive Injection System (WAIS) process, ConSus works up to three times faster and at less than half the pressure. These capabilities reduce time, energy and CO2 emissions. The WAS cutting jet consists only of water and abrasive, which ensures a significantly higher efficiency without turbulent mixing conditions, and leaves the cutting nozzle at almost twice the speed of sound.

Procuring, storing and disposing of cutting material is an important cost factor in industrial waterjet cutting. The Abrasive Recycling Unit (ARU) from ConSus ANT enables the processing and reuse of more than 100 kg of abrasive per hour with extremely low energy requirements. This capability enables users to increase the economic efficiency and sustainability of their processes significantly. The ARU is suitable for use with both WAIS and WAS processes. While WAIS requires the use of the ARU with a drying system for the recyclate, WAS allows the moist abrasive to be fed directly back into the cutting process. In conjunction with the ConSus abrasive mixing unit, a reuse rate of at least 80% of the abrasive is possible.
For further information www.consus-gmbh.com