PRODUCT REVIEWS
Laser cutting capability
BLM Group USA has announced its implementation of high-pressure ( HP ) dry air ( also known as compressed air ) to be used as an assist gas on all its flat sheet and tube laser cutting systems .
“ Systems using compressed air can achieve faster speeds , improved cutting and smoother edge quality , especially in aluminium applications . This new option
enables users to choose the gas best suited for their material and application ,” it told ISMR . “ When used in aluminium applications , high-pressure dry air produces virtually drossfree cuts while gaining up to 150 % increases in speed on 1 / 8 ” thick aluminium . The low cost of air and speed of the operation makes this an excellent choice for any fabricator processing aluminium ,” it added .
Compressed air can also be an appropriate choice for mild steel applications , where it has a lower cost yet comparable speed to nitrogen . However , the thickness of the materials that can be processed with HP air will vary depending upon the laser power ; materials up to 1/8 ” can be cut using a 3kW laser or up to ¼ ” with a 6kW laser and above .
As an assist gas compressed air is a blend of other gases including nitrogen , a non-reactive gas , and reactive oxygen . Since the portion of inert air is high , it is possible to achieve speeds equal to nitrogen cutting while the remaining portion of gas is oxygen , which creates more heat in the cutting .
“ Additional benefits include economy of use and maintenance ; post-processing work can be minimised in many fabricating applications and the reduction or elimination of dependence on third parties for gas ,” added the manufacturer .
BLM Group has made this option available on its LT5 ; LT7 ; LT8.20 ; LT Fiber EVO ; LT . 14 and LT . 24 laser tubes as well as its LT360 and LTFree five-axis lasers and its LC5 and LS5 2D laser systems . n
KUKA wins Red Dot award
The KUKA NOX construction robot concept study has won the Red Dot Design Concept Award 2021 in the “ Best-of-the-Best ” category . Since 2005 , the Red Dot Award : Design Concept has recognized the need to discover and award new design concepts and innovations - paving the way for current design challenges and for the significant products of the future .
Digitising construction sites sustainably is the goal behind the “ KUKA NOX ” concept study , which KUKA Corporate Research developed together with a Swiss design student . The mobile construction robot helps with measuring and drawing on construction sites , making important information accessible exactly where it is needed .
The concept was developed from an extensive analysis of the construction industry including expert interviews , site visits , activity analysis , stakeholder mapping and other research . It is also the result of close collaboration with Lukas Hilfiker , design student from Switzerland . The sustainable digitisation of the construction industry and the support of construction workers on site were the focus of concept development .
The KUKA NOX construction robot works at night , more or less as a mobile 2D printer . It automatically transfers all important data from the digital model to the construction site by printing markings and information e . g . instructions in the form of a QR code , at all corresponding points . In this way , the craftsmen have all the latest information directly on-site every morning .
“ Conversely , the robot also scans the construction site at night and transfers the current status to the digital model - the digital twin of the construction site - to the computer . This also allows customers and architects to view the construction site virtually at anytime from anywhere in the world . The cumbersome and error-prone work with plans , spirit levels , tape measures or pencils will therefore become a thing of the past . However , there are currently no plans for KUKA NOX to become a series product in the near future ,” said the robotics specialist . n
Flexible stamping
AIDA-America is introducing its newly designed NSX mechanical stamping press . This 110-metric ton , unitised frame press runs at speeds of 120 to 300 SPM with a stroke of 65mm .
“ The NSX features a low deflection , onepiece frame and a low deflection cast iron slide . Accuracy and consistent high-volume production are assured using zero clearance roller-type slide guides and counter-rotating eccentric shafts . Press and die integrity are preserved with the inclusion of hydraulic overload protection ,” commented the press specialist .
“ The press ’ s floor mount design , intended to be paired with isolation mounts , as well as choice of plug and play Wintriss , Link or Rockwell Allen-Bradley controls provide ease of installation . Eight programmable limit switch channels are standard ,” it added .
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60 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR February 2022