PRODUCT REVIEWS
12kW fibre laser cutting
AMADA has released its latest high-power fibre laser cutting machine , the ENSIS-AJ 12kW , which complements its currently available 3- , 6- and 9kW versions . ENSIS fibre lasers are designed for manufacturers who need rapid piercing and cutting across a wide range of materials .
The new 12kW ENSIS incorporates all the features of the 6- and 9 kW versions , such as AMADA ’ s original Variable Beam Control and Auto Collimation technologies , as well as the in-house designed and developed fibre laser engine . For the 12kW version , 3 x 4kW diode modules ( the highest power , single module produced by AMADA ) ensure that high beam quality is maintained for faster cutting speeds . It also opens new avenues for thicker mild steel processing with nitrogen , up to 15mm .
The new ECO WACS system for thick mild steel processing with oxygen enhances the overall package .
In recent years , higher power fibre lasers have become more popular for sheet metal processing , providing faster cutting speeds and quicker piercing times and , in turn , lower cost per part . The new 12kW AMADA ENSIS- AJ fibre laser can process 25mm mild steel with the addition of the new ECO WACS ( Water Assisted Cutting System ) function . It enables very high-quality oxygen processing of thick mild steel . ECO Cut was used for lower thickness oxygen processing ( 10-15mm ), speed increases and running cost reductions .
“ ECO WACS combines both these features to allow very thick mild steel processing with an extremely high edge quality and improved bevel angle , whilst maintaining fast cutting and piercing capabilities ,” explained AMADA .
“ The 12kW ENSIS-AJ can now process up to 15mm mild steel with nitrogen and utilises AMADA ’ s Clean Fast Cut ( CFC ) process to increase cutting speeds and reduce gas consumption by up to 70 %, compared to standard nitrogen processing . This unlocks new opportunities for customers in the construction , agricultural and yellow goods markets . These need significantly higher cutting speeds , compared to oxygen , and result in quicker deliveries for the end-user ,” it added .
A range of automation options are also available . n
. amada . co . uk
Heavy duty bending
Pipeline and energy infrastructure companies face huge operational challenges for the transportation of crude oil and natural gas in either liquid or gas form , from production points to refineries and distribution centres . Italian bending specialist , Faccin , has expertise in designing and manufacturing special machines for pipe production in challenging projects .
Recently , the company completed a sturdy electro-welded three-roll plate rolling machine that includes features such as variable axis configuration ; maximum pipe length of 40 feet ; anti-deflection system for top roll ; antideflection system for bottom rolls ; three-roll drive ; automatic pipe ejection system and others .
“ This CNC-controlled , highperformance pipe mill bending roll can support pipe production and deliver productivity , repeatability and automation of the entire manufacturing process . It is able to reach specific technical and roundness tolerances , while offering a high-quality finished product that meets high API standards ,” Faccin told ISMR .
To further increase production speed and automation , a post-bending machine that prepares the pipe for welding can be added . Other additions include a series of outboard motorised guide rollers that control the movement of the pipe from the plate rolling machine to the post-bending machine and successive working stations , to achieve a fully automated manufacturing process .
50 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR June 2021