LASER: higher efficiency, lesser efforts

July 22, 2014 6:17 pm

Lesser in effortsAccuracy in applicationsSimple in handlingEfficient in operationReliable in outcome
 In today’s world, laser technology is growing in diverse industrial applications. Though the automotive sector has predominantly implemented the laser technology as a new alternative to traditional manufacturing processes, today laser technique is enjoying its presence in various applications, from automation to optics, and from telecommunication to security.
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut the materials, and is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications. India is growing global automation hub primarily on account of labour and easy availability of technology.. Here we discuss about the latest innovations in laser cutting machine tools and overall laser use in machine industry.
Latest trends in laser cuttingLaser cutting machines allow metal fabricators to create high-quality parts that require very little, if any, finishing work. As the high-powered laser is cutting, excess material either melts, burns or vapourises away. A high pressure jet of gas also blows away any debris, resulting in a highly finished surface cut.
Two types of laser cutting machines mainly in use are CO2 and Nd:YAG. CO2 laser cutting machines were one of the first gas lasers and are the most common variety of laser cutting machine. They offer an excellent power input-output ratio, as efficient as 20 per cent. Nd:YAG lasers are solid state and use a crystal as a lasing medium. They cut steel and other alloys in the metal working industry.
As laser technology is continuously developing, it is interesting to see what are the latest technological advancements and innovations being offered by the current players in industry. Let’s have a look at the same.
“We have come up with latest CNC structure with power automation (German) controller,” says Jayesh Patel, Marketing Director, A Innovative International Ltd. “Also we are having solution of slab technology for CO2 source for which maintenance is also very less and is safe in operation. We provide latest fibre technology with different suitable structures which ultimately gives reliability and flexibilities to customers.”
“Quality of cutting and efficiency of operation are the two key aspects that are in much focus at our R&D centre. The operating cost and consumables for our fibre laser cutting machines are almost half that of the conventional CO2 technology. Our fibre laser cutting systems ensure lowest maintenance cost as well,” assures Maulik Patel, Executive Director, Sahajanand Laser Technology Limited (SLTL).
Maulik Patel also informs about what SLTL has done in this regard to offer its other features which include:• Butter cut: The glossy and smooth finish on steel of thickness varying from 5 to 12 mm; achieving the finish at this thickness level at a high speed is what considered as a key advancement in technology.• Striation free edges at thicker metals. The angular distortion caused in the conventional non-contact type cutting system has been corrected and the finish has been improved with various evolutions. The dynamic edge control mechanisms have been developed to control the pressure of assist gases, cutting speed and laser power in order to deliver perfect geometry and to achieve least angular distortion.• 1G to 5G acceleration has been able to achieve with modifications in design and redefining material technology, for point to point positioning it has been saving time and electricity to a large extent.
Laser cutting vs. mechanical cuttingLaser cutting machines are distinct from traditional mechanical cutters. Since the laser never makes physical contact with the metal, there is little to no wear on the equipment, and there is less opportunity for the material to become contaminated. Laser cutting machines also cut metal with higher precision than that of mechanical means.
According to Jayesh Patel, laser cutting offers benefits like no need of tooling, no mechanical stress on cutting edge, and making variety of cutting profiles possible in a single setup.  It is also possible to cut non-metals with the help of laser. Moreover, laser cutting gives higher material scrap value too and is suitable for wide range of applications.
Explaining how laser cutting is advantageous, Maulik Patel says, “Unlike the conventional cutting processes namely punching and turret press, lasers have two indigenous benefits i.e. non-contact type cutting and profile cutting. Profile cutting with fibre lasers has equal preference in lot manufacturing these days. Thanks to the very high speed of cutting, precision and best-in-class quality of finish achieved through fibre laser technology.”
In mechanical cutting, there is usually a wide heat affected zone that can cause material warping from time to time. However, as in case of laser cutting machines, the heat affected zone is kept small, possibility of warped material gets significantly reduced.

Advertising

Your future advertising space? Our media data