ISMR December 2022 / January 2023 | Page 64

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Efficient processing

Fibre laser cutting
At the EuroBLECH sheet-metal exhibition in Hanover , Germany ( 25-28 October 2022 ), AMADA presented a range of new solutions with a focus on increasing productivity while simultaneously boosting cost- and resourceefficiency .
It presented its latest generation of lasercutting systems with more powerful beam sources , which are designed to be energyefficient and can machine an even wider range of materials . Features such as the AMADA LIS system enable intelligent , highly automated cutting , while new automation systems make it possible to achieve considerable productivity increases .
AMADA also presented its new ASR 3015 PR storage and part picking system . This fully featured system enabled the autonomous loading and unloading of raw material , parts sorting and the storage of components and sheet skeletons . Material loading / unloading and part removal runs in parallel without interrupting machine operation and there is no variation in sheet load / unload cycle times .
As featured in our November issue , AMADA has now brought its new auto crowning device and enhanced flexibility to its mid-range of press brakes ( the new HRB Auto Crowning mid-range model ). This was previously only available on high-end press brakes such as the AMADA HG .
AMADA My V-factory Industry 4.0 solutions , IoT Remote Support and a new line control solution also demonstrated how users could manufacture more intelligently and boost their productivity and costeffectiveness .
AMADA VENTIS fibre laser cutter .
“ To keep our customers profitable in the increasingly competitive laser cutting market , we showcased the new 6kW VENTIS fibre laser featuring our Locus Beam Control ( LBC ) technology , highlighting its ability to perform like an 8-10kW machine but with lower running costs ,” the Japanese manufacturer told ISMR . “ This higher power variant will be especially relevant considering energy costs are rapidly increasing . So far , almost 200 orders have been received for the 4kW version in Europe .”
Higher cutting efficiency has been enabled by AMADA ’ s LBC technology and its singlediode module , high-brightness , fibre laser engines . This combination , said AMADA , provides “ efficient material removal and higher cutting speeds versus a standard fibre laser of equivalent power .” The VENTIS series fibre laser cutting machine is available in 3015 and 4020 sizes , with 4kW or 6kW power sources .
There are three main processing modes in LBC technology : these are Productivity Mode ; Quality Mode , providing dross-free stainless steel up to 15mm ( 4kW ) and 20mm ( 6kW ) to reduce secondary processes , and Kerf Control mode ( particularly useful when combined with AMADA ’ s TK part picking systems , allowing the cutting kerf to be widened up to 1mm for automatic removal of components from the cut sheet ).
“ LBC Flash Cut was another revolutionary development shown at EuroBLECH 2022 . This processes the shape by moving only the laser beam without moving the axis , so it can process at an unprecedented speed that surpasses conventional laser machines ,” AMADA added .
The new 6kW VENTIS was shown with an all-electric pallet changer , while a 4kW VENTIS was exhibited in a fully automated cell to highlight the ‘ Productivity , Not Power ’ theme .
“ Consisting of the new double tower ASF-EU II Twin load / unload system and TK3015EU part picker , this cell is capable of higher productivity over a 24-hour period than a 15kW standalone laser , with significantly lower average cost-per-part ,” continued AMADA .
Fibre laser welding
AMADA has also increased the laser power of the FLW-ENSIS fibre laser welding cells
Blank-to-Bend concept .
64 | ismr . net | ISMR December 2022 / January 2023