Page 28 - MetalForming April 2011

Laser Technology
Amada America, Inc.
ADVERTORIAL
Match the Technology to the Application
With machines featuring the latest advances in fiber-laser and CO2 technol- ogy, Amada’s laser-cutting systems (from 1 to 6 kW) vary in design, configura- tion and automation options. With the support of its Laser Technical Center, the company can help fabricators select the optimal laser-cutting system for
any application.
Fiber-Laser Technology
In October of 2010, Amada’s FOL-F fiber laser made its world debut at the EuroBlech machine-tool show in Hannover, Germany. Designed in response to the market’s demand for
flexibility, maximum machine utilization and minimum part-pro- cessing time, the FOL-F boasts the fastest motion system available, combined with the world’s first 4000-W production
fiber laser specifically designed for cutting.
Featuring linear drives in the x, y and z axes, the FOL-F provides
5G acceleration for the entire work envelope, and rapid-traverse speed in excess of 13,000 in./min. As a result, the FOL-F provides faster cutting speeds (as much as three times faster than CO2 when cutting some thin- gauge materials) and quicker processing times.
Five years of development and refinement have resulted in the develop- ment of the system’s high-powered fiber-laser source, comprised of seven 600-W power stacks. By combining these stacks, Amada developed a fiber laser that provides maximum power and efficiency. The machine is engineered to send 4000 W through a single fiberoptic cable directly to the cutting head, without the use of mirrors in the laser source or in the beam-delivery path.
Process range expansion is another benefit of fiber-laser technology. Due to the shortened wavelength of the laser beam compared to a CO2-laser beam, the FOL-F can cut materials that often prove difficult to process with a CO2 laser—copper, brass and titanium alloys, for example.
CO2 Technology
Even as fiber technology presents specific benefits compared to CO2, CO2 lasers continue to evolve and provide ideal processing features for numerous applications. A strong relationship with Fanuc has resulted in the develop- ment of more energy-efficient CO2 lasers with longer optic life, while doubling the life of the blower unit. This has led to a significant reduction in mainte- nance requirements, and a 32-percent decrease in the cost/hr. of the blower unit alone. The RF design of the Amada/Fanuc resonator means longer inter- vals between optics cleaning and replacement.
The new Fanuc iB series of CO2 resonators also support improved power-save modes. Compared to the previous generation of Fanuc CO2 resonators, the iB series show a 20- to 25-percent reduction in power consumption. In addition, the chiller’s workload is reduced, slashing power consumption by nearly 30 percent.
For heavy-gauge cutting, while some claim that a 2- or 3-kW fiber laser can cut 3⁄4-in. mild steel, edge quality and final finish will not be comparable to that with a CO2 laser. Amada’s 4-kW CO2 laser will clean-cut 1-in. material with good edge quality, while still providing optimal edge quality in thin materials. Fiber lasers, by comparison, will process thin materials faster and at a lower cost.
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MetalForming/April 2011
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Company
Information:
Amada America, Inc. 180 Amada Court Schaumburg, IL 60173 877/262-3287 847/466-2000 www.amada.com