PRODUCT REVIEWS
Precision fibre laser cutting
Component surface finishing
Finishing specialist Fintek ( Hall 19 , stand 26 ) is using the MACH 2022 exhibition in the UK this April to display how advances in automation have improved surface finishing capabilities for larger components . It will also demonstrate how new electro-chemical processes are being used to remove support structures and help the finishing of internal and external surfaces for additively manufactured parts .
Jonathan Dean , managing director of Fintek , commented : “ Since the last [ MACH ] show , there have been significant advances in surface finishing for traditionally engineered parts and metal components manufactured by 3D printing . From OTEC Präzisionsfinish , we have the new SF-HP which brings fully automated high-energy stream finishing to workpieces of 650mm in diameter and 650mm long , weighing up to 200kg . From RENA Technologies , we have the Hirtisation ® process that finally resolves one of additive manufacturing ’ s major hindrances , the cost-effective and efficient removal of support structures , residues and the smoothing of hard-to-reach internal surfaces and deep cavities .”
In addition to the new systems , Fintek is keen to show improvements made by OTEC across the full range of CF ( disc finishing ), DF ( drag finishing ) and SF ( stream finishing ) machines for deburring , edge-honing , smoothing and mirror-like polishing of metal parts , from the extremely small and thin up to aircraft landing gear . From table-top variants to fully automated systems with robotic loading and unloading for inline production , the Fintek team at MACH will be advising visitors on the best process for any metal part .
“ In an exclusive deal with a UK company , we will also be introducing another new technology for finishing the internal and external surfaces of 3D-printed metal components ,” added Mr Dean . n
Ingenium Integration Ltd will be showcasing the Nukon range of precision fibre laser cutting systems at the MACH 2022 exhibition in the UK ( 4-8 April 2022 ).
“ Visitors to Stand 723 , Hall 6 , will be able to see a Nukon Eco Speed Pro- Line 315 4kW 2D fibre laser cutting machine in action . Nukon machines are ideal for first-time laser users , businesses adding value to in-house manufactured products and subcontractors requiring high-performance machines for the most demanding laser-cutting applications ,” explained the manufacturer .
“ Nukon fibre lasers are incredibly accessible ,” added Ingenium Integration sales manager , Steve Haddrell . “ Several models also have an extremely compact footprint , making them well suited to production environments where floorspace is at a premium .”
The Nukon fibre laser range includes 2D , 3D ( 5-axis ) and laser tube cutting machines . High specification standard features include : nLIGHT fibre lasers with adaptive beam optimisation and Lantek Expert CAD / CAM nesting software . The 2D fibre laser machines
Nukon Eco Speed Pro Line
Small part inspection
OR3D ( Stand 19-635 ), a specialist provider of CAD ( computer-aided design ) models or inspection reports from laser scan data , is displaying and demonstrating its latest CT scanner at the MACH 2022 exhibition in the UK . The scanner offers critical inspection of small parts .
Computer Tomography ( CT ) is a powerful technology now being utilised for inspection purposes . It involves the collection of 2D X-Ray slices that are combined to provide a complete a 3D dataset . The CT scanner enables the collection of accurate and high-resolution ( 0.25 micron ) scan data . This enables the inspection and reverse engineering of very small and highly detailed components or components where surface scanning technologies cannot capture geometry .
OR3D CT scanner
are available in a range of power options and sheet sizes . The Nukon range of 3D , 5-axis machines has been developed for challenging applications such as precision-cutting tubes , pipes and intricate profiles in a wide variety of materials , as well as R & D work .
Nukon laser tube cutting machines include pipe and profile cutting models , as well as ‘ Vento Flex ’, a versatile machine able to cut tubes , pipes , profiles and flat sheet metal . To assist customers in maximising the productivity and efficiency of their lasercutting operations , Ingenium Integration also offers Nukon ’ s range of fully automated loading and unloading solutions . n
. ingeniumintegration . com
This technique uses X-Ray technology enabling NDT ( Non-Destructive Testing ) of part assemblies or multi-material components . Additional analysis , such as porosity checks within castings or plastic injected mouldings , offer additional insight .
“ CT scanning has many other applications and is not limited to finding defects within a part . The extremely high levels of accuracy mean scanning parts for typical inspections can be completed more accurately and reliably , especially on a small scale ,” added OR3D .
OR3D , which is partnered with RX Solutions , works with companies worldwide to provide a consultancy service to match requirements to actual needs . n
60 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2022