Page 26 - MetalForming April 2020

FABRICATION
Today’s fabricating technology promises the ability to produce high-quality components job after job, in a variety of applications. And, in each issue, MetalForming is committed to informing you on how fabrication equipment delivers.
This month, we explore the effects of pulse lengths when performing high-precision laser cutting where features may measure in nanometers. Also on tap: 16 expert tips for designing sheet metal parts for laser-beam cutting— inhouse or outsourced.
Press brakes also are part of the package via an article on big productivity gains made by a small shop courtesy of a new brake. And, MetalForming offers tips on aluminum welding.
Contents
24 News & Technology
26 Ultra-High-Precision Laser Cutting–
Pulse Length Matters
30 Designing Laser-Cut Metal Parts
34 User-Friendly Press Brake Slashes Setups, Pushes Production
36 Aluminum Welding: Getting to the Basics
News & Technology
Part Sorting of Laser-Processed Parts
At FABTECH 2019, Mazak Optonics Corp. highlighted its latest automation advancement: a part sorting solution for laser-processed parts. From pallet changing to sorting finished parts, the SortFlex system improves
material flow through the fabrication pro-
duction line, resulting in increased pro-
ductivity, according to company offi-
cials. Available for 3015 and 4020
laser-machine formats, it has a mod-
ular design that allows for expanding
with the growth of a user’s operations,
and is flexible enough to allow for customized
unloading positions. Finished parts are loaded
on pallets, with stacking by order or by part type.
This system also offers numerous functions and enhance-
ments to expand the range of applications, and can include integration of unloading conveyors, over/under carts, mini unload tower, labelers, etc.
Mazak Optonics Corp.: www.mazakoptonics.com
Arc Welding Cobots
Fanuc America demonstrated at FABTECH 2019 its new line of collaborative arc welding robots, offering the same level of performance as the company’s Arc Mate robots, but with built-in sensoring that allows the welding cobots to work safely
alongside people without the need for guard- ing. Features of these arc welding robots include large motion range, and simple setup and programming.
Both of the company’s new welding cobots provide six axes of motion, with the CR-15iA for Arc offering a 15-kg payload and 1441- mm reach, and the CR-7iA/L for Arc (pictured) with a 7-kg payload and 911-mm reach. The high payload capabilities combined with the large motion range increases system flexibility to process a broad range of parts.
At FABTECH, the CR-15iA for Arc, paired with Lincoln Electric’s Power Wave R450 robotic power source, performed live welding to build a jet turbine component as an additive manufacturing process. In producing the part, the cobot deposited material layer by layer.
The arc welding cobots come equipped with Fanuc’s ArcTool application software, featuring a programming interface that supports simple and complex applications, including the company’s advanced features such as Weaving, iRVision, Seam Tracking, Thru-Arm Seam Tracking (TAST) and Multi-pass.
These cobots offer floor, ceiling and angle mounting options, with the CR-15iA featuring a hollow wrist for seamless integration of weld-package dress outs, third- party utilities and sensor cables.
Fanuc America: www.fanucamerica.com
24 MetalForming/April 2020
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