Citation
(1998), "Precision laser cutting of large metal sheets", Assembly Automation, Vol. 18 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.1998.03318aad.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Precision laser cutting of large metal sheets
Precision laser cutting of large metal sheets
ESAB Automation's new Alpharex 5000 laser cutting machine is designed for precision laser cutting of large sheet metal plate. Until recently, the cutting of plate was carried out almost exclusively using thermal cutting methods such as gas and plasma cutting. However, the availability of the Alpharex 5000 with its positional accuracy of 0.3mm and working area of 3.0 × 12.0 metres has changed all that.
The new Alpharex 5000 is
designed for precision laser cutting of large sheet metal plate.
The Alpharex 5000 can achieve high precision laser cutting in thicknesses of up to 20mm in carbon steel, 12mm in stainless steel and 8mm in aluminium. it features a 3000W CO2 laser system and is able to cut plate up to 30 metres long or an area of 126 square metres.
High cutting speeds, combined with high accuracy and superior quality, give laser cutting considerable advantages over traditional methods. The advantage of cutting sheets as large as possible is that costly processes such as welding, assembly, seam preparation, straightening and sheet handling can be avoided. A further advantage is that large sheet metal plate can now be cut with the same degree of accuracy that can be provided by the smaller laser machine systems which already exist on the market. Finishing is rarely needed and subsequent production operations such as automatic welding can be carried out immediately.
Laser cutting of large plates can be applied in many industry sectors including shipping, power plants, trailer makers, container manufacturers, manufacturers of railway carriages, general fabrication and contract cutting.
Alpharex 5000 features a built-in fume extraction system to ensure compliance with all health and safety legislation.
Further information can be obtained from Ian Kirkpatrick, ESAB Automation Limited, 1-3 Crown Way, Walworth Industrial Estate, Andover, Hampshire SP10 5LU. Tel: 01264 332233; Fax: 01264 332074.