AMADA are pleased to announce that, in December 2021, the 100th European order was received for the VENTIS fibre laser featuring the revolutionary Locus Beam Control (LBC) Technology, which allows the 4kW VENTIS to perform like a 6kW fibre laser, as well as bringing cutting quality improvements. Lang Gerätetechnik GmbH placed the order for the laser with a twin tower version of AMADA’s ASF-EU automation system. This milestone order has been achieved in only 2 years from the initial launch of the VENTIS, proving that LBC Technology is allowing many new and existing customers to expand their competitive offering.
AMADA’s VENTIS-3015AJ is the first fibre laser cutting machine to feature the company’s LBC Technology, which improves both processing quality and productivity. In combination with a newly developed, high-brightness, single diode module 4kW fibre-laser oscillator, LBC technology sets a new world standard for laser profiling.
Lang Gerätetechnik GmbH, based in Rhoden Ansbach, Germany, was founded in 1976, employs 40 people and is a general subcontractor for the sheet metal industry. The company wanted to upgrade their laser cutting capabilities and investigated the market.
The company had the following requirements when they made the decision to purchase the VENTIS fibre laser from AMADA: Significant energy savings vs CO2 lasers, processing speed and the ability to increase the material thickness and types (copper and brass). The decision in favour of the VENTIS was made among other things because of the price-performance ratio vs other manufacturers 6kW fibre lasers and the fact that the LBC Technology provided a far more flexible production machine. Cutting speed and quality were also impressive vs higher power machines.
In conventional fibre laser cutting systems, energy density reduces as material thickness increases, leading to a lack of efficiency and the need for defocussing the beam. Conversely, the use of LBC Technology, which is a world first for the laser-cutting market, offers flexible beam pattern control matched to each application, while retaining high-efficiency cutting and high energy density. Defocussing is therefore no longer required. In short, LBC Technology can freely manipulate the laser beam to create an infinite number of locus patterns that are advantageous to cutting performance.
For manufacturers of conventional fibre-laser systems, the only way to negate the loss of energy density is to increase the power output of the laser oscillator, but this comes at a cost, both in terms of purchase price and greater electrical consumption.
In contrast, the VENTIS, with its specially developed, single diode module 4kW oscillator and LBC Technology can reduce electricity bills by 30%.
LBC Technology has three primary functions: Productivity Mode, Quality Mode and Kerf-Control Mode.
In Productivity Mode, users can realise a significant improvement in throughput when cutting with nitrogen. For instance, when processing stainless steel, the VENTIS with LBC technology will prove twice as fast as using a conventional 4kW fibre laser cutting machine, while aluminium will be 2-3 times faster. These performance levels, in tandem with lower energy consumption, can reduce processing costs by up to 75% in some instances.
Quality Mode, as the name suggests, can improve surface roughness by approximately 50% when compared with a conventional machine, while dross is minimised to less than 10μm. Recent trials at AMADA’s facility in Japan showed 15mm stainless steel to be dross-free after cutting. This outcome means that users can eliminate secondary operations such as deburring and reduce processing costs. Moreover, even though operating in Quality Mode, the trial was run at a cutting speed faster than a standard 4kW fibre laser cutting machine.
Finally, Kerf Control Mode enables long-term stable processing during automated system operation. The kerf width can be expanded to 2.3 times wider than general fibre lasers due to the use of LBC Technology. In fact, the system is able to control kerf width for optimal efficiency based on the material type and thickness being processed. The result is consistent part removal and long, stable processing during operation.
The VENTIS is supplied with a high level of standard features, including single lens cutting, a 16 station automatic nozzle changer, AMADA’s original Water Assisted Cutting System (WACS) for thick mild steel processing improvements, an X axis conveyor and front & side access.
Offered in both 3m x 1.5m and 4m x 2m variants, the AMADA VENTIS is also equipped with the company’s upgraded AMNC 3i Plus control. This features Intelligent Head Control, which can provide time reductions of up to 20% by varying the head motion to the next hole, as well as the ability to edit mircojoints on the NC itself.
The VENTIS 4kW fibre laser is capable of processing 25mm mild steel, 20mm stainless steel, 18mm aluminium, 10mm brass and 8mm copper.
Lang Gerätetechnik GmbH
Jochim Lang / Dominic Waßmann
Waldzeller Str. 31
97849 Roden-Ansbach
Gegründet: 1976
Mitarbeiter: 40
Werke: 2 Standorte
Maschinenpark
Abkantpressen: HG-8025, HFP-8025L, HFE-1703M2, HFB-1003, HFE-1003, 2x FPH
Entgratmaschine: DB-610
Tafelschere: GH-630
Laser: VENTIS-3015AJ, LC-3015F1 + ASL
Automation: ASF II 3015 EU TWIN
Revolverstanzmaschine: EM-3610
