FACE TO FACE
OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 15kW continuous power enhancements so that users can cut different metal types . With such high speeds and power from our fibre lasers , automation is needed to feed through the sheet etc . So , our ETC Laser also displays automation systems and highlights the benefits of automation to customers .
We opened a new office and another new Technology Centre in Denmark this May . We also recently opened offices in Romania , Austria and Portugal . Our wish is to be as close as possible to our customers .
ISMR : Which new technologies are you promoting at EuroBLECH in Hanover ?
GLG : We have developed several new lasercutting models in the last 18 months and two of them are here on our stand at EuroBLECH . Both are being exhibited for the first time at a public exhibition . One is a new fibre laser-cutting machine for sheet metal , the OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO , and the other is a new fibre laser-cutting system for tube , the FG-400 NEO .
What is very new for both machines is the type of laser source they use , which employs beam-shaping technology . This allows users to modulate the shape of the laser beam based on the cutting conditions e . g . material type , material thickness , type of contour etc . We Mazak stand at EuroBLECH 2022 . can continuously and progressively moderate the laser beam , which is an important breakthrough . Cutting quality is achieved by controlling the power density concentration of the laser beam , while a wide range of different materials and thicknesses can be accommodated by adjusting the beam ’ s diameter and shape .
This offers two major benefits : excellent cutting surface and strong stability with a wider window for stable cuts . In the last ten years , fibre technology has been a gamechanger for laser cutting . The beam-shaping
The new OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO fibre laser-cutting system for sheet metal .
technology that we are presenting here gives users the same cutting surface quality as that provided by CO₂ lasers .
For sheet-metal cutting , we offer highpower lasers ( 15kW ) to cut thicker materials , i . e . 50mm aluminium , and reduce cycle times for greater productivity . Another benefit of higher power is that nitrogen can be used for clean cutting ( no oxidation ). The sheet is then ready to be painted , so it is an environmentally friendly solution . Fibre lasers offer lower CO₂ emissions than CO₂ lasers , as well as lower energy and gas consumption levels .
The OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO for sheet-metal cutting has a new and improved CNC control . The double screen is unique : the main screen controls the machine ’ s actions ( nesting , programming etc .) while the second screen communicates directly with a manufacturer ’ s ERP system to manage orders , production scheduling etc . This feeds into Industry 4.0 functionality and IoT . OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO also has a new cutting head and an expanded intelligent set-up function with automatic nozzle centring and nozzle check . We have also expanded the number of nozzles in the changer to 24 nozzles .
The new FG-400 NEO fibre laser tube-cutting machine handles large sizes ( up to 406mm diameter for round tube and 305 x 305mm for square tube ). We have
The OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO at EuroBLECH 2022 .
This fibre-laser cutting system for sheet metal is the latest entry in Mazak ’ s OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 2D laser-cutting machine series .
“ Thanks to a combination of MAZATROL SmoothLx CNC Control , MCT3 cutting-head and a wealth of customisation options , the machine delivers precise sheet-metal processing . It benefits from a high degree of automated features to deliver faster set-up times ( up to 95 % compared to standard laser machines ), including automatic nozzle changing , as well as automatic focus detection and positioning to improve ease of use and optimise piercing performance ,” explained Mazak .
“ The large front and side access doors improve accessibility to the working area and ease loading / unloading operations . The Nozzle Auto Centring Camera displays the nozzle location on the CNC screen , allowing the operator to make adjustments on the torch , while the nesting feature automatically determines how to arrange the parts for optimal cutting on residual materials ,” it added .
The OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO 15kW displayed at EuroBLECH was equipped with the CST automation system . Consisting of a single tower mounted above the laser bench , it has eight separate drawers – each with a load capacity of up to 3,000kg – and deploys a suction-based system for the loading of raw material and the unloading of processed workpieces .
increased the cutting and movement speeds and the machine has a new rotary-tool spindle unit . The machine performs multiple processes including cutting , drilling , flow-drilling and tapping , all in the same machine .
We can also offer a remote diagnostic service via iCONNECT for all our machines . In our estimation , 70-80 % of service on lasercutting machines can be done remotely . This is hugely important for our customers in terms of speed of response , satisfaction rates and reduced costs for them .
ISMR : Which geographic markets in Europe are your targeting ? Are there any specific regions of growth ?
GLG : Germany is the largest market size for our business . We are also seeing great returns in Italy ( in terms of market size ). Our results in Italy are the best of all our European markets . The Italian government has been awarding capital machinery incentives for the last few years so Italian manufacturers have invested in more advanced and competitive equipment and are aiming to grow further . Industry 4.0