Fibre Laser Cutting Machines Gain New Functions to Raise Productivity
Sheet metalworking machine manufacturer, Bystronic, has extended the functionality of its fibre laser profilers to make them even more efficient. The BySprint Fiber range of machines will in future have two new options, one that monitors the cutting process in real time and corrects it, and another that allows automatic nozzle exchange. Both features, which have been available on the company's CO2 lasers for some time, allow extended periods of unattended running.
Cut Control monitors the cutting process
From Spring 2014, the Cut Control function will be available for BySprint Fiber machines with 3 and 4 kilowatt laser sources. Integrated process monitoring stops the machine automatically if an interruption in the cut is detected and returns the head to repeat that section of the cut. Component rejection and scrap rates are consequently reduced.
Another application of Cut Control is to determine precisely the position of the edge of the sheet on the table, resulting in optimal material utilisation, particularly when long, straight cuts run close to the sides of the sheet.
Nozzle magazine speeds changeover of materials
Automatic nozzle change is another new feature for the BySprint Fiber. The operator no longer has to think about which cutting nozzle is correct for a different sheet of material, as the machine automatically selects the optimum nozzle from one of 40 stations in a magazine. It improves process reliability and as nozzle change takes only 15 seconds, faster than manual exchange, productivity is increased.
With a nozzle magazine fitted, a fibre laser machine can be pre-equipped for unattended cutting of orders involving sheet metals of varying types and thicknesses. Automatic nozzle change is available for all combinations of the BySprint Fiber, including in the 3m x 1.5 m and 4m x 2m formats and with 2, 3 or 4 kilowatts of laser power.
Other news on BySprint Fiber
The fibre laser's range of applications is rapidly expanding, according to David Larcombe, Managing Director of Bystronic UK. Until recently, such cutting systems were used primarily to process relatively thin metal, because in sheet thicknesses above 8 millimeters, the advantages of CO2 lasers prevailed.
Now this is changing. Bystronic offers solutions that significantly improve the cutting characteristics and overall efficiency of the fibre laser right through to medium sheet thicknesses. Particularly in the most powerful 4 kW version, the fibre machine achieves almost comparable cutting speeds to a CO2 laser. If energy efficiency and maintenance costs are taken into account, fibre laser cutting is the more economical process and also allows additional types of material to be cut, such as copper.
Bystronic UK Limited, 6 Wayside Business Park,
Wilsons Lane, Coventry, CV6 6NY.
Tel: +44 (0)844 848 5850. Fax: +44 (0)844 848 5851.
Contact: David Larcombe, Managing Director.
E-mail: david.larcombe@bystronic.com
Web site: www.bystronic.com
Release no: 1008(PR)
