TPT November 2008

C utting, S awing & P rofiling T echnology

Laser machines cut cycle times by 50-60 per cent

With travels of 2,500mm, 1,250mm and 115mm in X, Y and Z respectively, the Trumpf TruLaser 2525 can cut up 20mm thick mild steel, 15mm stainless steel and 10mm aluminium. Typical Trumpf innovation is applied in the form of an additional Y-axis integrated in the motion unit. Unlike the standard Y-axis, it does not move the complete motion unit – only the cutting head.

Trumpf, Germany, has supplied two state- of-the-art CNC laser cutting machines to Savekers, a UK-based OEM that supplies an innovative range of architectural metalwork items to a host of industries. These machines have led to benefits that include an impressive reduction in cycle times of 50-60 per cent on average. Savekers architectural metalwork range includes sliding door and window track products, retail systems, shelving systems, pedestrian guidance and barriers, and leisure products. Manufactured largely from tube, plate and sheet steel, all production operations (with the exception of powder coating) are conducted onsite. Until recently Savekers had no laser cutting facility for tube and relied on an ageing waterjet profiling machine for its plate work. For laser cutting tube and profiles, the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 5000 is an automatic and flexible machining system.

It can process tube up to 6,500mm in length with wall thickness up to 6.4mm (mild steel). The machine is available with a loading unit and part removal station. The TruLaser Tube 5000 makes it possible to cut tubes and profiles into sections in a single setup. It also makes it possible to

produce recesses and contours with the laser, an attribute exploited widely by Savekers for nearly all of its products. “Whereas we previously bought pre-slotted tube we can now manufacture slots of the desired length and in

 A test cut part example

The intelligent application of a double axis greatly increases the dynamics and reaction time of the machine and, particularly on small part geometry, processing time can be reduced by up to 30 per cent. Advantages of the TruLaser Tube 5000 have so far included design of more intricate products, zero tooling requirements, extensive de-stocking, enhanced cut finish, and cutting of parts ‘on-the-fly’ from material that would conventionally be scrap. “We’ve easily cut 50-60 per cent from cycle times,” states Mr Saveker. Trumpf Group – Germany Fax : +49 7156 303 6115 Email : harald.dickertmann@jp.trumpf.com Website : www.trumpf.com Trumpf Ltd – UK Fax : +1582 399 250 Email : sales@uk.trumpf.com

the exact position required by each customer,” says Saveker’s chairman Mr Martin Saveker. “Previously we had to offer ‘universal’ versions of our slotted tubular products.”

 The Trumpf TruLaser Tube 5000 for laser cutting

Mr Saveker says that speed was the major consideration behind seeking new flatbed profiling capability. Having already decided to buy the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 5000, another model was selected – the Trumpf TruLaser 2525. “We can cut at 200mm/ min using our existing waterjet facility, however the TruLaser 2525 can profile at 20,000mm/min for some jobs,” says Mr Saveker.

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N ovember 2008

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