In collaboration with NUM Taiwan, the Taiwanese laser machine manufacturer Legend Laser, Inc., has developed a unique multi-axis system for the precision cutting of thin sheet metal parts.<\/p>\n
Based on NUM\u2019s latest-generation Flexium+ CNC platform, the system combines high dynamic performance linear motors with a pulsed fibre laser, and is expressly designed for 24\/7 operation in a standard production environment.<\/p>\n
Legend Laser\u2019s new SRC-610 precision sheet metal cutter is a 3-axis system with a working area of 1000 x 600 mm and an above-worktable clearance height of 150 mm. It is mounted on a high inertia platform, comprising a large mass solid granite base with a rigid metal frame. To ensure smooth, burr-free cutting and to prevent any heat-induced deformation of thin metal workpieces, the power output of the pulsed fibre laser is fully synchronised to the cutting operation. The laser has a peak output power of 1.5 kW and can cut sheet metal with a thickness of between 20 \u00b5m (0.02 mm) and 1000 \u00b5m (1 mm), at speeds ranging from a few millimetres per second to a hundred millimetres per second.<\/p>\n
In addition to sheet metal, the SRC-610 is also suitable for cutting and drilling ceramic and sapphire plate. Thanks to the system\u2019s high dynamic performance and continuously variable laser power level, it is capable of exceptional cutting precision \u2013 to within just plus\/minus 10 microns (10 \u00b5m or 0.01 mm).<\/p>\n
The X and Y axes of the system \u2013 which control the lateral movement of the sheet metal workpiece and the laser cutting head respectively \u2013 are capable of very fast acceleration\/deceleration and ultra-precise positioning. Both axes employ linear induction motors, driven by NUM\u2019s NUMDrive X servo amplifiers.<\/p>\n
The Z axis, which controls the vertical height of the laser cutting head and thus the gap between it and the workpiece, uses a NUM BHX series AC brushless servomotor and a third NUMDrive X servo amplifier. The gap is controlled very accurately during the entire cutting process, through use of a unique \u2018Dynamic Operator\u2019 (DO) function in NUM\u2019s Flexium software. This employs special fast calculation and communication facilities which enable event-driven machine cycles to be integrated into the real-time CNC kernel.<\/p>\n
According to Sherman Kuo, President of Legend Laser, \u201cNUM is now our CNC provider of choice. Its open architecture CNC platforms simplify system integration, while its willingness to actively collaborate in joint machine development projects such as this helps to shorten our time to market significantly\u201d.<\/p>\n
Locally placed technical support is also an important factor, as Adrian Kiener, CSO Asia and Managing Director of NUM Taiwan, points out: \u201cLegend Laser\u2019s HQ is only about 150 km from NUM\u2019s offices in Taichung City. By offering direct access to the CNC experts and development facilities we have here, as well as in Switzerland and other strategic locations around the world, we can provide a very fast and supportive service to companies in Taiwan and other countries in Asia\u201d.<\/p>\n
NUM is supplying Legend Laser with a complete CNC solution for its SRC-610 precision sheet metal laser cutting system. In addition to the Flexium+ 8 CNC system and NUMDrive X servo amplifiers, this includes a custom HMI (human-machine interface) that is dedicated to laser cutting, a PLC, a fully developed part program and system commissioning.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In collaboration with NUM Taiwan, the Taiwanese laser machine manufacturer Legend Laser, Inc., has developed a unique multi-axis system for the precision cutting of thin sheet metal parts. Based on NUM\u2019s latest-generation Flexium+ CNC platform, the system combines high dynamic performance linear motors with a pulsed fibre laser, and is expressly designed for 24\/7 operation<\/p>\n