The Fabricator - February 2010

product highlights >> an up-close look at industry innovations product highlights >> an up-close look at industry innovations
High-range, 2-D laser cuts at 787 FPM

Prima Industrie offers the Zaphiro high-range, 2-D laser. Its linear motors and a rigid structure allow a combined speed of 787.40

FPM.

The machine stores a sample cutting piece for each material and thickness on its CNC. The Perfect Cut system then detects cutting quality in real time and automatically corrects parameters if the quality differs from desired standards. According to the manufacturer, the net result is zero defects and zero rejects.

The laser head has a new F axis with higher dynamics and longer stroke to help reduce cycle time and improve cutting quality. A new cartridge design helps simplify lens changes.

The Beam Size Control feature adjusts the laser beam diameter to the material and thickness to be cut. The machine also is equipped with a sheet metal supporting table and a pallet changer that adapts the transfer speed to the weight of the transported sheet.

The system’s CV5000 laser allows cuts up to 0.98 in. thick.

Prima Finn-Power North America Inc. | 555 W. Algonquin Road |
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 | 847-952-6500 | www.primafinnpower.com
Ultrahigh-pressure waterjet pump replaces
hydraulics with servo-linear actuators

TECHNI Waterjet™ has developed the Quantum ESP™ (Electric Servo Pump) ultrahigh-pressure waterjet pump, using the same concept NASA used on its space shuttle program when replacing all hydraulic cylinders with compact, controllable direct-servo-linear actuators.

The pump incorporates a servomotor that envelops a high-load, precision ball screw, which houses reciprocating ceramic plungers. This creates a pumping action similar to what a hydraulic cylinder does on an intensifier pump. The combination of the servomotor’s infinite control and the ball screw’s precision helps increase accuracy of the output pressure and the volume of water displaced.

The pump uses electricity to drive the plungers directly, in most cases requiring up to 60 percent less power to run than hydraulics. The water use is reduced, as the servomotor requires minimal cooling.

The manufacturer states that companies using the pump on a single-head waterjet cutting machine for one shift can save more than 32,000 k Wh and about 290,000 gal. of water over the course of a year.

The unit measures 5 ft. long by 2 ft. wide by 3 ft. high and runs at 68 dB. Standard diagnostic software helps increase the speed at which users can detect and remedy leaks.