Page 19 - MetalForming January 2012

Fabtech Leads Metalformers
to theCutting Edge
Here’s a look at new waterjet- and laser- cutting technology on display at Fabtech, held last November 14-17 in Chicago. Look for additional coverage of technology displayed at Fabtech in coming issues of MetalForming.
BY BRAD F. KUVIN, EDITOR
Lasers Light up the Show
Amada
The talk of the
town undoubted-
ly was fiber-laser
technology,
promising effi-
cient, accurate
and high-speed
cutting of thin-
gauge sheetmet-
al. Amada Amer-
ica became one
of the first com-
panies to intro-
duce fiber technology to the world when it
debuted its FOL3015AJ fiber-laser cutting
machine at EuroBlech in October 2010. I
watched that machine run through its paces in
Germany, and joined hundreds of other Fabtech
visitors in amazement as it did its thing in Chica-
go. The machine featured a 4-kW laser and a
three-axis linear-drive system providing 5G
acceleration over a 5- by 10-ft. worktable. It promises to make quick work of most metal-alloy stock to 0.875 in., although we’re told by experts that fiber lasers pro- vide optimum benefit, compared to CO2 lasers, at material thicknesses to about 6 mm, or 1⁄4 in. To optimize productivity, Amada equips the machine with high- speed shuttle tables and an automatic nozzle changer—nozzle changes take 31 sec.
Salvagnini
Fabtech marked Salvagnini’s launch of its second-generation fiber laser, the L5 (as seen on the cover of this issue of MetalForming), boasting what the com- pany calls its “compass structure.” Also a 5G machine, the L5’s patented mechanical drive system features a pair of rotary motors that, say compa- ny officials, offers similar dynamics to those of linear motors yet consumes less than 1 kW of power when in oper- ation. The use of rotary motors also
Touring Fabtech last November, we spied several new laser- and waterjet-cutting machines dotting the show floor in Chicago. Bigger cutting tables, expanded controls capabilities, lightning-fast and incredibly precise motion sys- tems and new automation equipment promise to deliver to metalformers unprecedented levels of productivity, quality and throughput. Also noted were several new machines touted as entry-level models—affordable to acquire, operate and main- tain, and aimed at frugal fabricators.
Here is some of the new cutting technology we spied dur- ing the show; visit each manufacturer’s website for more details, videos, etc.
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/January 2012 17
www.amada.com