Cutting and part quality demonstration. who cut thicker materials continuously is that the cutting head can often get very hot and then cut quality can suffer. With Grand Cut technology, we get very good results with constant cutting head temperatures (even after hours of cutting). Depending upon the application, for material of up to 50mm in thickness, fibre laser cutting can now compete with waterjet cutting as a faster and cheaper option in thick material cutting,” explained Gaetano Lo Guzzo.
50mm mild steel cut by the 20kW OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO.
“Although the precision and reduced thermal effects of Grand Cut are particularly noticeable in thicker sections, where heat build-up most significantly affects quality and consistency, the benefits are also evident when cutting materials as thin as 10mm,” he added.
Grand Cut combines beam control, nozzle design and cutting technology for improved cutting surface quality, with a smoother finish and less heat-affected zone. It is now a standard option on the OPTIPLEX NEO 3015 and 4220 models.
Getting the right gas mix
Guided tour at the Mazak Open House.
An eye on tube cutting
Gas mix technology (combining nitrogen and oxygen) is an effective solution for high-power laser cutting. Mazak cited approximately 10% higher cutting speeds, compared to nitrogen alone.
Mazak has also just installed its new FT-150 NEO 3kW Fiber Tube Laser cutting system in Worcester, which was demonstrated to visitors during the event. It is designed for highspeed cutting of small-to-medium-diameter tubes of up to 152mm (6”) in diameter. It consolidates automatic loading, cutting, drilling and unloading in a single unit, streamlining operations.
“Gas mix is most effective when used with laser powers of 10kW and above, where its benefits in cutting quality and speed are most pronounced. The nitrogen in the gas mix contributes to achieving high cutting speeds (particularly when working with thicker materials) while oxygen aids combustion. Together, they reduce the need for post-cutting operations (such as oxidation removal) and enhance the quality of the cut edge and the overall surface finish,” Mazak specialists told visitors at the event.
“Last year, we introduced our new FT-150 NEO system with various new features, such as U-axis control (which moves rapidly without the need to advance the tube itself). For our FT and FG tube models, we have also introduced a new CNC control, Mazatrol SmoothTUBE, with dual 21.5” touchscreens and an intuitive interface. We also launched new CAD/CAM software (Tube DX) for tube programming,” Gaetano Lo Guzzo told ISMR .
Visitors inspect the new FT-150 NEO 3kW Fiber Tube Laser cutting system.
“By combining the advantages of nitrogen and oxygen, gas mix cutting significantly increases the chances of achieving a clean cut (even on thicker materials). The result is a more efficient workflow, lower operating costs and superior results across a wide range of applications,” they continued.
The FT-150 NEO combines B-axis movement for bevel cutting with a U-axis for rapid positioning along the tube, for processing without moving the workpiece. This set-up is suitable for angled cuts and reduces welding time by improving joint fit-up, particularly on small-medium tubes.
Mazak provides detailed tables to guide users in selecting the most suitable gas combinations for various materials and thicknesses.
The machine can also be equipped with an optional rotary tool unit, expanding its capabilities to include drilling, tapping, thermal drilling and chamfering, all in-line. This, said Mazak, significantly reduces set-up time and minimises the need for secondary operations.
Grand Cut technology
Patented Grand Cut technology from Mazak brings significant improvements in the laser cutting of thick materials (20mm and more). It addresses one of the most challenging aspects of cutting high-thickness materials: thermal distortion.
Mazak iCONNECT is a service that supports productivity improvement by connecting customers’ Mazak machines to Mazak. Through iCONNECT, Mazak provides various services such as processing support, operation monitoring and maintenance support. It offers access to technical support engineers, as well as remote support for machines.
“More recently, we introduced Grand Cut technology for very thick material (i.e. 50mm sheet). It is able to maintain stable cutting conditions across a wide range of material thicknesses. The challenge for manufacturers