By Barry Page, Amada
It is now possible to own an affordable and utterly reliable laser, which is built by Amada in Japan. The newly launched Amada “ORSUS” fibre laser cutting machine is a 3 meter x 1,5 meter (3015) shuttle table machine, available in a 3kW, 6kW or 8kW power derivative.
Amada realized that those who are in the laser cutting game should understand the importance of having all the fundamentally important aspects in a machine package in order to be successful and profitable, with reliable equipment and guaranteed after-sales service. The Amada ORSUS offers all of this under the name that has become a worldwide market leader in the industry.
Equipped with the new Amada AMNC4ie control, easy control interaction is realized through simple tasks like moving or placing parts manually on the sheet by dragging across the touch screen, or soft joint creation to hold components inside a sheet without a physical micro joint. This is unique to Amada’s newest laser controls. The bar code reader system simplifies program transfer from the drawing office to the machine. Full maintenance schedules are displayed and interactive videos even display the method of doing correct preventative maintenance – continually.
Equipped with a “mode converter system”, optimum beam mode shape is acquired through 2 pre-set shapes and based on the specific cutting application. This automatic system adjusts the beam mode shape according to processing requirements.
Different cutting methods are standard features on the ORSUS models, such as oxygen cutting – using oxygen, air cutting – using compressed air, clean cutting – using nitrogen, Eco cutting – with small diameter nozzles and (low) oxygen pressure, and even WACS cutting – water assisted cutting on thicker materials to reduce heat dispersion in the sheet.
Additionally, the Amada Hyper EZ Cut II system can be retrofitted to any of the Amada laser cutting machines, both Co2 and fibre. This Hyper EZ unit is connected to the compressor air system and filters the air, retrieving lower grade nitrogen, which is used in the cutting process, drastically reducing assist gas costs.
The unit is powered by a 24 volt circuit on the laser machine and supplied with long life filters, which ensure many hours of maintenances free nitrogen generation. The Hyper EZ Cut gas is fed to the machine through the air line and is selected by a simple selector lever system.
i-Process monitoring is standard on the ORSUS, which monitors the cutting condition as well as pierce penetration. The constant monitoring of light during the piercing and cutting process i-Optics Sensor is another standard feature, which monitors the condition of the protection glass, giving warnings before the cutting process is hindered. Contamination levels are indicated on the control screen to encourage cleaning or replacement.
With fibre lasers being on average 50% more efficient than the Co2 predecessors, additional savings can be realized through the employment of the various cutting methods and checking systems.
Mobile HMI, a standard feature, allows for the monitoring of the machine in the factory on a smart device. The operator can now monitor and operate multiple machines by starting and stopping programs remotely. This HMI system will keep you updated on the machines’ status constantly.
One step further than this is the complete factory monitoring system called “My V- Factory”. This is an optional package, able to monitor production operations in your factory. It will show when machinery is in a stopped state, alarm state or operational. It allows the full monitoring of what is being processed, when it was processed, alarm time history, production time history, idle time history and setup time.
Interruption during processing is a constant problem in our industry thanks to erratic power supply. Resumption and recovery is simple on the Amada system with the aid of the “resumption” function. The machine will automatically resume cutting from the point, where it was last interrupted.
The ORSUS is supplied with the standard shuttle table system, which ensures continuous production, facilitated by the automatic table change-over function. The table exchange takes 24 seconds to complete, and the shuttle can be unloaded or re-loaded without interfering with production in the machine.
Various automation options are available as retro-fit systems. These vary from the basic MPL sheet manipulator carrying up to 6 tons of material, to the single ASFH tower systems offering 6, 8, 10 or 12 shelves – each holding 2 tons of material, the double tower system and even part picking, removal and stacking to ensure sorting of nested parts on various stacking pallets.
The ORSUS comes supplied standard as a fully enclosed machine (Full cover partition). Due to health and safety regulations around the world and in South Africa too, it is illegal to operate a fibre laser without proper and adequate protection in place. Amada ensures that this aspect is covered fully as they understand the risks and hazards of exposure to the invisible fibre laser radiation.
Amada is an accredited and licenced importer and seller of fibre technology and adheres to all safety requirements as specified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.
For more information, please contact Amada – Tel: 011 453 5459.
