PRODUCT REVIEWS
High-power lasers at full potential
Eagle fibre laser cutting machine with Crane Master Store and eTower 110 .
In an industry where higher efficiency and productivity at reduced costs are crucial , fibre laser cutting systems must raise the bar with benefits such as higher powers , peak-level motion dynamics and material handling automation .
Eagle Lasers is a well-known laser cutting machine specialist . It was one of the first to launch 6kW , 8kW , 10kW , 12kW and 20kW laser cutting systems and , in mid-2021 , premiered its 30kW fiber laser cutter .
However , it told ISMR , laser power alone is not enough . Motion dynamics , and more specifically acceleration parameters , also have to rise to the occasion .
” If you double the acceleration , you can technically halve the time it takes to reach the programmed speed . The rate at which the machine can decelerate into corners or arcs , and then accelerate out of them , has a high impact on cycle time . The shorter the cycle , the more parts produced per hour and the higher the profit ,” the manufacturer explained .
Eagle iNspire machines are designed for accurate processing and deliver 6G acceleration , cutting speeds of up to 150m / minute and a 350m / minute positioning speed .
Camillo Brena , Marketing Director , Eagle .
The crucial role of automation
Camillo Brena , Eagle ’ s marketing director , highlighted its focus on a seamless , efficient process .
“ During the machine development process , we understood that true efficiency can only be attained when every step of the manufacturing process cycle is automated and controlled . Transporting the metal sheet from storage to machine , loading and unloading material , as well as sorting and storing cut parts , are processes that need to work seamlessly . isolated action , but the swiftness of the entire process and fully automated systems clearly contribute to this . They enhance productivity by reducing costs and downtime while increasing worker safety , precision , speed and control over the whole operation ,” he explained .
A pivotal point is that a powerful fibre laser cutter is extremely fast and requires material handling solutions that can keep pace with such rapid cutting speed .
“ Swift material handling is crucial in achieving high production volumes over shorter work cycles . Eagle ’ s nine-second pallet exchange is critical in this process . However , automated loading / unloading and storage systems are equally important ,” Brena added .
Space-saving solutions
Every manufacturer knows the value of their production floor area . With this in mind , Eagle Laser ’ s automation solutions have been intelligently designed to make the most of vertical space .
” Fibre laser machines are significantly more compact and efficient than earlier technology cutters , where a single highpowered laser cutter can do the work of three to five machines with older technologies . If , on top of this , we add vertical systems for material handling , loading and storage ( which are also modular and adaptable ), we considerably increase productivity per square metre ,” Eagle Lasers told ISMR .
Brena detailed Eagle ’ s automated material handling solutions .
“ The CraneMaster simultaneously loads and unloads material while the eTower storage systems can be equipped with various numbers of towers and shelves , optimising space and stock control to suit each client ’ s needs . These automated solutions are prepared for full integration with the manufacturer ’ s ERP systems and work in sync . to constantly feed the machine while unloading and storing cut parts for smooth , uninterrupted work cycles ,” he outlined .
Higher power benefits
Using material handling automation , a high-powered machine can perform at full cutting capacity and process larger volumes
66 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR May 2022