Software springboard for Irish laser specialist

ELC Laser Group claims it was the first company to introduce laser cutting into the Irish market in 1989, and operations manager David Power says as an industry leader, it continues to develop the latest technology, providing customers with what he calls the “definitive choice in laser cutting solutions.”

ELC offers quality assured design, cut and fabrication solutions for projects across a range of industries, including agricultural, aerospace, pharmaceutical, shop and hotel fitting, automotive, materials handling and automation.

Having used Radan to program its two flatbed laser cutters – a BLS 4000 and Prima Domino – for 13 years, Mr Power says it was the natural choice for the 5-axis Prima Rapido 2kW laser: “The machine has a 3m by 1,500mm bed with a 600mm Z axis, which gives us tremendous flexibility in cutting 10mm mild steel and 6mm stainless steel.”

The company, based at Waterford in the South Eastern province of Munster, brought 5-axis laser technology to Ireland as a direct result of customer demand. Until recently it used another CAD/CAM software but found the company’s requirements had outgrown the system.

“We’ve had excellent success with Radan programming the flatbed lasers, and discovered that its specialist 5-axis module, Radm-ax is ideal for what we need now and will need for future developments. We can cut and trim complex pressed and formed 3D components, along with box and tubular sections with total precision,” Mr Power continues.

ELC’s 5-axis laser system ensures total control of the cutting head, enabling chamfers to be cut on the edge of the material, or maintaining 90° to the cutting surface throughout the operation.

It makes full use of Radm-ax for one particular client – B. S. & B. Safety Systems. “We produce burst panels and explosion panels for them, primarily from stainless steel and nickel alloy,” Mr Power reveals. “They’re formed parts so we’re cutting in 3D, not 2D, and Radm-ax allows us to develop 3D models and cut the parts efficiently.”

Mr Power says the company’s 5-axis work has improved considerably since switching from the original software to Radm-ax. “It takes in SolidWorks or any other 3D models and quickly creates the cut paths. It has sped up the process by at least 20%.”

With a longstanding, sound reputation for being a successful cutting company, ELC Laser Group is now looking to develop a more design focused role and become a full design and fabrication one-stop-shop.

“This will enable us to attract new customers and Radm-ax means we can take in the 3D model and lay it out on the computer simulation of the Prima bed, orientate it, apply toolpaths, then go around it setting the features we want,” Mr Power says.

Prototyping is going to play a big role in ELC’s plans, and Mr Power says all its Radan modules – the Radraft 2D CAD system, Radan 3D, Radnest and Radprofile, along with Radm-ax – means it will be able to add value in terms of how it creates parts.

“Customers can come to us with a concept and we’ll design it from scratch, or they can provide a design and we’ll value-engineer it. Where the parts are formed, we take them directly on to the 5-axis machine, and thanks to Radm-ax we can now pre-fabricate some components and put the cutting operation on after we’ve fabricated them.”

As well as a range of steels, stainless steel and nickel alloys, ELC works with titanium and aluminium, along with plastics such as acrylic and high density polyethylene and MDF.

ELC’s use of Radm-ax is growing all the time as more customers request components produced on the 5-axis laser, and it is looking to extend its services to the UK’s aerospace and automotive industries. The software not only minimises programming time; the cut paths are more efficient, saving further time during cutting on the machine. And combining that with the comprehensive simulation and proofing tools, it streamlines ELC’s day to day production while reducing costly errors and eradicating the need for dry runs.

The toolpaths are accurately simulated on screen, showing the angle of the nozzle as it moves around the part, providing instant feedback on whether or not a specific move is possible. If any collisions are detected they are highlighted both on the model and via on-screen messages.

David Power says the software will also play an important part in the next stage of the company’s development: “Our machines are capable of laser welding, and that’s something we’ll be exploring soon. It’s fundamental to our success that Radm-ax will program those operations, too,” he concludes.

ELC Laser Group www.elclaser.com

Radan www.radan.com