Page 31 - MetalForming December 2015

Using its existing shop air at 100 psi, Doyle added filtration with a refrigerated dryer that feeds a high-pressure booster (450 psi maximum) to a high-pressure receiver, filters and a refrigerated dryer. The setup ultimately sup- plies regulated clean, dry air at 350 psi to the cutting machine.
“We performed 5 hr. of test cuts
on a variety of parts and materials
and were very pleased with the results,” says Rumple. “Our main concern is weld quality of the cut parts; we need nice clean edges for good welds, and parts processed
on the fiber laser cut with air assist weld perfectly.”
Doyle now uses high-pressure air assist to cut all of its 18-gauge through 1⁄4-in. Type 304 stainless steel, as well as 14- to 10-gauge mild steel. The fiber laser also gets limited use cutting 1⁄4-in. mild-steel sheet with oxygen assist, used to fabricate fixtures.
“Ninety-five percent of our fiber-
required pressures, but air assist only requires a 15-hp compressor. “This has reduced operating cost for the fiber-laser machine down to less than $4/hr.,” he says, “which is about 90 percent cheap- er than using nitrogen-assist gas. And, Cincinnati added covers that install above and below the lens that extends lens life indefinitely. Replacement lenses are typically the second biggest operating cost of a fiber machine, and now that’s
no longer a factor.”
The success of operating the
CL-940 using air assist has led Doyle to order a second fiber-laser cut- ting system, along with a new 230-ton press brake—both set for delivery in July. The machines will be housed in the company’s new 195,000-sq.-ft. facil- ity, in Palmyra. MF
Article contributed by Cincinnati Inc., Cincinnati, OH; 513/367-7100, www.e-ci.com.
Doyle’s new fiber laser, a model CL-940 from Cincinnati Inc., replaced two aging CO2-laser cutting machines. It uses high-pressure air assist to cut all of its 18-gauge through 1⁄4-in. Type 304 stainless steel, as well as 14- to 10-gauge mild steel.
laser cutting is stainless steel using shop air,” adds Rumple.
And, the Price is Right
In addition to higher productivity, Doyle’s new cutting machine also is saving money due to the lower cost of air compared to nitrogen. According to Rumple, a nitrogen system requires a 50-hp compressor to generate the
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