Axel 3015 developed for almost continuous production capability

Citation

(2002), "Axel 3015 developed for almost continuous production capability", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774fab.005

Axel 3015 developed for almost continuous production capability

Axel 3015 developed for almost continuous production capability

Keywords: Continuous processes, Productivity, Lasers, Optics, Profiling

Demonstrating the advantages claimed of its modular concept design, the LVD Axel flying optics, laser profiling machine incorporates fully integrated shuttle tables to accommodate almost continuous production requirements including unmanned running.

Marketed in the UK by LVD (UK) of Marlow, the Axel 3015 machine (Plate 5) has a totally integrated beam compensation system which is said to allow high quality cuts and edge finishing to be maintained over the full table area at speeds up to 170 m/min. The machine can be specified with 1,500, 2,000 or 3,000 W CO, laser for processing steel up to 20 mm thick, stainless steel up to 12 mm and aluminium up to 8 mm.

Plate 5 LVD’s Axel 3015 Flying Optics laser profiler features fully integrated shuttle tables

The shuttle table reportedly demonstrates major gains to the user in machine utilisation, production efficiency and operator convenience. Loading and unloading of the 3,000 mm by 1,500 mm tables can be overlapped while the laser is profiling parts and in this mode of operation, lost time for table exchange is stated to be a maximum of 20 s.

As with all LVD laser profiling machines, a single fully integrated control system package from GE-Fanuc accommodates table positioning, fast-flow laser generator settings and drives. Positional accuracy is within ± 0.05 mm/m in travel and repeatability within ± 0.02 mm.

In order to facilitate unmanned running routines, the Axel 3015 incorporates LVD’s “Laser Eye” optical referencing system that provides automatic and noncontact sheet referencing from previously punched holes, edges or contours of the material.

Axel machines are equipped, as standard with a high pressure “clean-cut”, profiling head with a 5 in. and 7.5 in. cutting lens position. In addition, capacitive height sensing built into the cutting head maintains a constant distance between the head and material being processed which accommodates any undulations in the material surface. Crash protection for the cutting head is also included and, as an option, a programmable NC focus system can be specified which eliminates operator intervention for any adjustment of the beam focal point.

Within the LVD solutions to maximise productivity of the Axel laser profiler is the CADMAN-L off-line programming software specifically tailored for laser cutting. It provides interactive CAD techniques and is able to import DXF/IGES files. Automatic or interactive determination of cutting sequences, nesting and full cutting path simulation, parametric unfolding routines and DNC linking can be performed.

Details available from: LVD (UK) Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 897300; Fax: +44 (0) 1628 472332; E-mail: mailboxlvdshape.demon.co.uk; Web site: www.lvdgroup.com