FOCUS ON TUBE FORMING
Hypertherm recently announced a strategic partnership agreement to offer solutions through BLM GROUP’ s laser cutting and tube bending systems and Hypertherm Associates’ plasma and waterjet cutting products and software
Family-owned JustLaser GmbH, in Austria, specialises in laser systems for cutting and engraving various materials, especially metals( also pipes).
Established in 1987, Kayseri Metal Center serves as a steel service centre in Gebze and a profile manufacturer at its Izmir facility( Meko Metal) in Turkey.
Polish manufacturer, Kimla, offers a hybrid laser for tube and sheet cutting. Its Flashcut linear laser, with linear drives, can cut sheet and tube with automatic loading / unloading. The Kimla combination flat sheet-tube laser incorporates a tube laser cutting system which, says the company,“ is totally smart in its extraction of the cut part.”
A special type of palette is used in the Kimla fibre laser, with an additional steering axis. It enables the cutting out of shapes and cutting of pipes with diameters up to 200mm. The maximum tube length depends on the laser model( 3,000mm for the LF1530). The pipe to be cut rests freely during the cutting process, with no system of grips that block cutting at the pipe ends. This minimises waste.
Software specialist, Lantek, offers its Flex3d Tubes software for manufacturing light tubes and thin-walled tubes with laser( or plasma) cutting machines, either with straight or bevelled cuts. The software generates CNC programming for production of tube parts either on specific tube machines( round, square, rectangular or open profiles with round or square sections) or on hybrid machines( tube and sheet metal).
LVD tube laser cutting machines provide versatility for a wide range of applications to cut round, square, rectangle or other profiles.
The TL 8525 is LVD’ s tube laser cutting machine designed for high productivity, handling tube lengths of up to 8200mm and diameters of up to 25mm round or square.
Image: Lamiera.
Features include a bevel cutting head, automatic front loader and a large X-axis cutting head range of 1190mm for maximum material usage. The TL 2665 machine is built to handle a range of tube and profile cutting with automatic set-up and run functions and a seven-position front loader. It can cut round, square or rectangular tube and pipe, C-channel and angle iron. It features automated nesting; a seam detection system and CADMAN-T embedded advanced programming software.
Mazak launched a new CNC system designed for 3D laser technology, SmoothTUBE, at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hanover, Germany. The new graphical user interface has been designed for tube processing. The system features a dual touch panel with large 21.5-inch screen.
Mazak’ s FG-400 NEO 3D fibre laser processing machine, with SmoothTUBE CNC control, can cut long pipes and structural materials with continuous automatic machining. The 3D laser head cuts and joins complex shapes and processes materials from various angles and directions. Beam shaping technology automatically adjusts the beam diameter according to the material
and thickness, and controls where the power density of the laser beam is concentrated. L, H, I-beam and channel can be processed as well as round and square pipe materials. Automatic loading / unloading is offered.
Mazak also offers its FG-220 and an FT-150 NERO fibre laser tube cutting machines. With optional rotary tool unit and drill support, drilling and tapping can be consolidated into one machine( the FT-150 NERO). Mazak also offers a remote diagnostic service via iCONNECT for all its machines.
Memoli’ s ETM 120 tube bender.
Mazak’ s FG-400 NEO 3D fibre laser tube processing machine.
Memoli offers the Memoli tube bender ETM series, designed to bend with or without mandrel tubes and profiles, and capable of bending in both right and left directions. The ETM benders series processes tubes with diameters of between 8-150mm; these machines can also bend over 180 degrees. For large-diameter tubes, the ETM 120 tubebending machine can process tubes of up to 114 x 8mm in diameter.
Messer Cutting Systems GmbH offers oxyfuel, laser and plasma cutting machines, as well as drilling and marking systems.
ISMR April 2025 | ismr. net | 57