At the recent EMO exhibition in Hanover, Yamazaki Mazak showcased its newest high-power 2D laser machine for sheet metal cutting operations: the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 20 kW. The machine’s working area allows the processing of workpieces up to 1525 x 3050 mm through a new 20 kW fibre laser resonator. Thanks to this high power, the machine is able to cut 30% faster and reduce gas consumption by 30% when cutting with nitrogen.

Mazak says that the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 20 kW is equipped with proprietary beam-shaping technology to adjust the power density of the laser beam in a controllable and automatic manner, ensuring the best possible result on various materials and thicknesses.

The new MCT3 cutting head and MAZATROL SmoothLx CNC system are just two stand-out technical features of the machine. Mazak’s MCT3 boasts multiple intelligent functions to streamline the operator’s role. For instance, beam diameter control automatically adjusts the laser beam diameter while automaticfocus enables distance adjustment for different materials to deliver faster cutting speeds. Furthermore,automaticprofilercalibration is a function that maintains the nozzle to workpiece distance to boost edgequality and productivity.

Automating the overall set-up time can lead to 95% quicker preparation compared with standard laser machines, reports Mazak. Moreover, intelligent cutting functions such as flash cutting and fine power ramping are able to enhance the overall process even more. Instead of stopping at each axis, the laser turns on and off through ‘flash cutting’;synchronising the axis and laser movements leads to reduce cutting times. Another function, fine power ramping, adjusts the laser power and feed rate, minimising dross at cutting corners without compromising straight-line cutting speed.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk