AMADA is launching its brand-new offer for high-speed CNC laser cutting. The high-specification REGIUS-3015AJ CNC fibre laser profiling centre not only becomes the fastest in AMADA’s portfolio, but the first to integrate a number of key technologies: linear drives in all axes; the company’s all-new Laser Integration System; and AMADA’s original Variable Beam Control technology. In addition, the new AMNC 3i Plus control houses new functionality designed to provide the ultimate in easy operation.
The AMADA REGIUS-3015AJ features linear drives in all three main axes, resulting in outstanding precision and ultra-fast point-to-point positioning speed of 340m/min. In support of the linear drives is AMADA’s intelligent head control system. This innovation makes real-time decisions about its retraction height. For example, in the case of two close-proximity holes, the intelligent head will not simply retract to a specified height, but instead remain low to reduce cycle time. Together with the speed of the linear drives, incredibly fast hole-to-hole motion is achieved.
Recent tests that pitched the new REGIUS-3015AJ against the company’s previous fastest laser, the FOL-AJ, showed the potential gains on offer. Cutting an identical nest of parts in 1mm stainless steel with the same power output, the REGIUS proved itself 14% quicker, all thanks to linear drive technology and intelligent head control.
The second major technology housed on the REGIUS-3015AJ is the all-new AMADA Laser Integration System, which offers functionality such as automatic inspection and automated recovery from processing failure.
Automatic inspection utilizes technology such as the i-Nozzle Checker to assess nozzle damage, position and circularity. If the nozzle requires changing (against a predetermined set of parameters), this will happen automatically via the machine’s 16-station nozzle changer, negating the need for subjective operator judgement.
A further function of the i-Nozzle Checker is automatic alignment of the laser beam to the nozzle if/when required. Checking of the beam condition will also be performed automatically to ensure the focal reference position is optimized, while another part of the automated inspection function is the i-Optics Sensor, which monitors the protection glass for contamination and alerts the operator if a change is required.
REGIUS-3015AJ users can also take advantage of the new i-Process Monitor system, which checks the wavelength of reflected light in real time to prevent processing defects before the occur.
Automatic head collision recovery is a further function incorporated into the REGIUS-3015AJ, which will utilise the i-Optics Sensor and i-Nozzle Checker systems to ensure reliable processing can continue. Machines without this function simply stop and issue an alarm, wasting valuable time.
The third integrated technology on the REGIUS-3015AJ is AMADA’s original Variable Beam Control technology, which automatically creates a beam shape optimized for each material and thickness. Users can therefore achieve high-quality, speed-stable cutting in all sheet materials (from extremely thin up to 25mm mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium), providing full-range processing with a single lens.
With regard to easy operation, a notable new feature on the AMADA AMNC 3i Plus control provides a boost for processing using sheet remnants, thanks to the i-Camera Assisted System (i-CAS). If a new part requires cutting to replace one that has been damaged in assembly, for example, the machine’s i-CAS camera can display the entire working area, so the selected remnant can be seen on the AMNC 3i Plus control. The part is then chosen from the library after which it can be positioned, rotated, copied and so on, before remnant cutting commences.
A further new feature of the AMNC 3i Plus is AMADA’s V-remote, which allows users to remotely access the control and check the machine’s status or history, for example. New jobs can also be added (remotely) to the schedule, according to pre-set access priorities.