TPT January 2007

Technology Update

speed) at any point in the machining cycle. Machining of flat sheet is completed to a positioning accuracy of 0.05mm and a positioning repeatability of 0.03mm, while 3-D design and programming of tubular components and complex tubular structures (frames) is made simple with Adige CAD/ CAM Tubework and Assembler software. Machining programs can be completed in minutes rather than hours, drastically reducing the time and cost of translating a completed design into a prototype or a full- scale production component. The end result in either case is improved product quality, especially when the opportunity is taken to re-engineer existing designs of sheet/ tubular structures to gain the maximum benefit from the dimensional and profiling accuracy of the LT Combo laser cutting system.

Automated system combines laser cutting of tube and flat steel sheet

It takes less than three minutes to change automatically from the tube machining configuration to flat steel sheet machining – and vice versa – when operating the new Adige LT Combo now available from BLM Group UK Ltd. The savings that result from installing this computer-controlled combination laser cutting system are considerable, making it cost-competitive with the alternative of traditional multi- machine operations. The LT Combo is of modular design, which means the system can be configured to suit individual requirements in terms of floor space, machining capacity and the degree of automation involved. Automation levels range up to the integration of multi- column pallet warehousing for unmanned machining. The maximum sheet size that can be machined on the LT Combo is 3,000mm by 8,000mm, while maximum tube section sizes of 225mm (round), 160mm x 160mm (square), and 200mm x 100mm

› Tubes up to 225mm diameter and flat steel sheet up to 3,000mm x 8,000mm can be machined on the Adige LT Combo laser cutting system

BLM Group UK Ltd – UK Fax : +44 1525 402 312

(rectangular), can be machined along a maximum length of 6,500mm. An integral database with a complete range of cutting parameters guarantees repeatability of cutting quality, with the machine control generating the optimum working parameters (cutting power and

Email : sales@blmgroup.uk.com Website : www.blmgroup.uk.com BLM SpA – Italy Fax : +39 031 715911 Website : www.blmgroup.com

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J ANUARY /F EBRUARY 2007