New functions for fibre laser

The BySprint Fiber range of machines will in future have two new options – one that monitors the cutting process in real-time and corrects it, and another that allows automatic nozzle exchange. Both features, which have been available on the company's CO₂ lasers for some time, allow extended periods of unattended running.

From Spring 2014, the Cut Control function will be available for BySprint Fiber machines with 3 and 4kW laser sources. Integrated process monitoring stops the machine automatically if an interruption in the cut is detected and returns the head to repeat that section of the cut. Component rejection and scrap rates are consequently reduced.

Another application of Cut Control is to precisely determine the position of the edge of the sheet on the table, resulting in optimal material utilisation, particularly when long, straight cuts run close to the sides of the sheet.
Automatic nozzle change is another new feature for the BySprint Fiber. The operator no longer has to think about which cutting nozzle is correct for a different sheet of material as the machine automatically selects the optimum nozzle from one of 40 stations in a magazine. It improves process reliability and as a nozzle change takes only 15 seconds, faster than manual exchange, productivity is increased.

With a nozzle magazine fitted, a fibre laser machine can be pre-equipped for unattended cutting of orders involving sheet metals of varying types and thicknesses. Automatic nozzle change is available for all combinations of the BySprint Fiber, including in the 3m x 1.5m and 4m x 2m formats and with 2, 3 or 4kW of laser power.

The fibre laser's range of applications is rapidly expanding, according to David Larcombe, managing director of Bystronic UK. Until recently, such cutting systems were used primarily to process relatively thin metal because in sheet thicknesses above 8mm the advantages of CO₂ lasers prevailed.

Bystronic says this is now changing. It offers solutions that significantly improve the cutting characteristics and overall efficiency of the fibre laser right through to medium sheet thicknesses. Particularly in the most powerful 4kW version, the fibre machine achieves almost comparable cutting speeds to a CO₂ laser. If energy efficiency and maintenance costs are taken into account, fibre laser cutting is the more economical process and also allows additional types of material to be cut, such as copper.

Bystronic
www.bystronic.com