At 3kW, the machine is said to offer the industry’s largest single-diode module size. Unlike other machines, there is no diode module beam combiner, thus improving reliability and increasing machine uptime.
Such is the interest in the new machine that two have already been sold into the UK market; the first to Bristol-based LW Jenkins, a specialist in fine-detail sheet metal solutions for the electronics industry. The machine was delivered in August.
Aside from the large, single-diode module, there are many more advancements in the 3kW Ensis. Firstly, Amada’s patented Ensis technology is capable of changing the laser beam mode, not just the focal spot size and focus position. This results in the optimum beam control for both thick and thin sheet processing. The machine also offers single-lens processing for all materials and thicknesses, and features a large-capacity nozzle changer to cover the full range automatically.
Importantly, the machine is capable of cutting up to 25mm thick mild steel, which is said to be equivalent to the performance levels of a standard 6kW fibre laser, but uses just half the power to do the same job. With energy prices proving a major overhead for profiling and fabrication shops, this presents the opportunity to make significant savings.
Among further new features is a development of the Ensis technology, which provides a high speed pierce in 20mm mild steel, and faster cutting than a 4kW fibre laser. This performance is achieved by instantaneously changing the beam mode between pierce and cut. For piercing materials at the thicker end of the material spectrum, oil-shot functionality is available for added reliability.
The machine also offers WACS II, the latest version of Amada’s proprietary Water-Assisted Cutting System. This advanced device allows the amount of water to be varied in two stages, providing further assistance when processing thicker mild steel.
Featuring a compact footprint, the machine is ideal for both OEMs and subcontract profiling and fabrication shops where every minute counts in the quest to outperform the competition. Integral automation features include cut and pierce monitoring for stable processing, as well as an X-axis conveyor. If required, operators can gain easy access to the cutting bed from the side or end.
The Ensis also provides lower part costs by utilising compressed air cutting, compared with standard nitrogen cutting. In fact, cutting speeds are the same as nitrogen processing, with part quality comparable in many thicknesses. Across a cutting range of 3,000 x 1,500 x 100mm in the X-, Y- and Z-axes, processing feed rates of up to 100m/minute are possible.
Ultimately, Ensis supports manufacturers seeking maximum productivity and efficiency from their laser profiling operations, regardless of what type of metal or thickness needs to be processed.
Amada www.amada.co.uk
