Trumpf LaserNetwork increases beam utilisation

Generally, the laser is only active for a brief period of the part processing time in a mid-range combination machine such as the TruMatic 3000, which was previously only available with a CO2 laser. The rest of the time it is idle, while the machine is either punching or being prepared for a job. Similar beam-on times apply for laser welding systems, where adjustments regularly have to be made to aspects such as jigs and fixtures. Combination machines have long established themselves as versatile and flexible tools for sheet metal fabrication, however many job shops remain doubtful about the possibility of integrating laser welding in the process chain. This is where the TruMatic 3000 Fibre opens up considerable potential. The most efficient method is to have the TruMatic 3000 Fibre and TruLaser Robot 5020 systems working in parallel. The fibre-guided TruDisk 3001 with its 3 kW of laser power can switch from one application to the other in a matter of milliseconds. The machines are supported by the intelligent LaserNetwork which automatically makes use of the laser beam as required. In addition to sharing use of the laser, the two systems further complement each other. The combination machine offers a broad range of punch applications and forming variants and can be used for jobs, such as preparing joint edges for welding. That simplifies jig and fixture engineering, making even smaller batches viable and extending the application scope of laser welding.