PRODUCT REVIEWS
The LT12 is the latest addition to the BLM GROUP laser-tube offering .
BLM GROUP presented its “ the Solution ” theme at WIRE & TUBE 2024 , the international trade fair for tube and wire processing , from 15-19 April 2024 at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre in Germany .
A highlight of its booth was an interactive 3D AI model of BLM GROUP ’ s new LT12 , a laser-tube system with fibre source capable of processing tubes of up to 305mm in diameter and 12.5m in length . Visitors to the booth were able to communicate with the 3D model , which is powered by AI , and receive answers to questions on the equipment capability .
“ The LT12 features a 3D laser cutting head and can cut tubes , beams and profiles of various open or closed sections with a speed directly comparable to other laser-tube machines of smaller size . This is well-suited to the mechanical and alternative energy industries , where there is a need to expand the maximum diameter of light alloy tubes that can be cut with fibre lasers ,” explained BLM .
BLM GROUP ’ s ELECT150 demonstrated
Laser-tube processing
its ability to perform highly complex shapes on curved profiles . The ELECT150 is a fully electric tube bender for tubes of up to 150mm in diameter . At the exhibition , it was shown bending a 110mm-diameter tube with an average radius of 90mm .
The company ’ s LT8.20 Lasertube is a versatile laser-tube cutting system working in a wide range of industries . It offers a working range from 12-240mm diameter , equipped with 3D laser cutting capabilities , a dual loading system , Active Tools technology and a fibre laser source of up to 5kW . The LT8.20 is configurable to meet specific customer needs and can be connected to an automated warehouse to optimise the entire production process .
BLM GROUP also featured a fully automated solution at the exhibition , incorporating two manipulator robots that handle parts between the processes of cutting and shaping ; bending with core ; nut insertion ; shaping on the second end of the tube and in-line dimensional control . This solution integrates 3-RUNNER bar-loading ; SMART ; AST8-VE systems and a telecentric measuring system .
Its Lasertube and Bender Workcell is a work cell and tube bender using robots and AGVs . This solution uses data matrix scanning on the part to help identify the type of bending program to be used . The system , composed of an E-TURN tube bender and Lasertube LT7 system , utilises a manipulator robot and an AGV for tube transport . This solution can adapt to “ on the fly ” batch production without special intervention by external operators .
BLM GROUP also highlighted its range of services and software offerings at WIRE & TUBE 2024 in Germany , along with its machining solutions . n
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BLM ’ s LaserTube LT12 model . Processing on the LT12 .
68 | ismr . net | ISMR May 2024