Latest advancements allow laser cutting systems to cut highly-reflective metals up to 4X faster than conventional lasers of equal wattage
Fonon Corporation today announced three major hardware technology updates to its laser cutting systems. Direct Drive Motion System advancements, CleanCut technology, and adaptive thin-to-thick laser beam shaping benefit businesses who need to precisely cut highly reflective metals at production-level speed.
An advanced, magnetic motion system and innovative laser advancements allow laser cutting systems such as the Titan FX to balance high acceleration, cut speeds and positioning with maximum accuracy. The Titan FX fiber engine is capable of cutting highly-reflective material such as copper, brass, and titanium, while processing common materials at speeds three to four times faster than CO2 lasers of equal wattage.
Traditional flatbed laser cutting systems which rely on rack and pinion, ball screws, or belt drives to traverse the cutting head face limitations common to all mechanical, high-contact systems, including wear and tear of the gears, reduced belt tension over time, and damage from the inevitable accretion of contaminants, grit, and dust generated by normal production conditions. Fonon’s Direct Drive Motion System uses direct drive linear motion technology, effectively levitating the cutting head smoothly and quickly across the working surface area.
“It’s the same technology the U.S. Navy is testing to launch fighter jets from an aircraft carrier,” said Jay Schlegel, vice president of Fonon Corporation. “The Titan FX’s direct drive magnetic motion system allows for smoother motion, higher acceleration speed of the cutting head, less stress and vibration on the carriage frame, a lower system weight, and decreased maintenance requirements. There simply are no ball screws, belts or gears to deteriorate or break down.”
CleanCut technology, the second advancement introduced by Fonon, is a technology improving the precision and slimness of the laser beam itself. Conventional laser cutting methods create an area of discoloration, potentially weakening and stressing the material on either side of a cut associated with an excessive Heat Affected Zone. CleanCut technology reduces or eliminates the Heat Affected Zone by producing a beam narrower than any conventional laser.
Adaptive thin-to thick beam shaping technology automatically adjusts the laser beam’s properties to process a wide range of material thicknesses. Built to take advantage of Fonon’s deep understanding of the reflective characteristics of any given material when it reaches the temperature at which it transitions from a solid to a liquid or gas, Adaptive Beam Shaping provides economical operation, superior edge quality on thick plate, and high-speed cutting of thin material.
Systems that make use of Fonon’s new technologies, such as the recently-released Titan FX Series, typically experience a 10 – 30% increase in speed and accuracy and a 10-30% decrease in kerf loss over similar systems.
Manufacturers which cut and engrave highly-reflective metals will particularly benefit from the new advancements, particularly producers of construction equipment, aluminum vehicles, kitchenware, copper and brass gaskets, food processing equipment of any kind, and materials used in the aerospace and defense industries.
Laser cutting systems incorporating these technologies are available immediately. Contact Fonon for more details.