High-end cutting systems for plastics
At the K 2016 plastics and rubber fair in Dusseldorf, October 19-26, the cutting system manufacturer eurolaser will present the enormous flexibility of its technology. Visitors will be shown via live demonstration the diverse range of possible uses. Films, foam, FOREX and acrylic sheets are cut on just one cutting system, engraved and provided with labels.
Despite Laser High Tech, the classic processing methods are kept sight of at eurolaser. The modular design of the laser systems allows the operator to use up to two mechanical tools in parallel to the laser. Customers can avail of the entire high quality tool range produced by Zünd of Switzerland. In addition to milling tools, countless knives and scoring, marking and stamping tools are available. This provides the ideal opportunity to combine the advantages of different processing methods – all on just one machine. A processing machine that is uniquely versatile in its variation possibilities. This modular design principle allows eurolaser to open up completely new manufacturing horizons for its customers.
More than 20 years of experience in plastics processing
Companies that process acrylic, which often produce displays, signs and labels, are among the core markets for the laser systems. A similarly large market is the cutting of plastic films. The automotive industry, front panels for kitchen appliances and keyboard films are of major importance in this sector. In the last years, another trend in the use of laser cutting systems is to be recognised. The textile market is developing very strongly. This ranges from technical textiles such as filter media through to plush fabrics for the soft toy industry. CO2 laser systems are increasingly used across industries for cutting and engraving. In order to remain competitive and to develop new markets, numerous companies rise from conventional production methods to access the economical production with laser technology.
Process automation in production
In recent years, there has been a particularly large increase in the level of automation. Printed plastics in particular can be detected very precisely by means of an interactive, optical detection system and contoured automatically. Printed markings, as well as markings that are embroidered or glued on, can be identified. It is even possible to register clear material patterns. The laser beam is automatically positioned above the workpiece according to the data that has been captured, so that precise processing along the print contour takes place automatically.
The so-called shuttle table system enables an automatic change of table modules. The principle is simple. The material carriers can be exchanged within a matter of seconds so that the laser process can continue without any down time. The materials which have already been processed can be removed in an economical way using the material carrier which has been replaced and the table can be restocked simultaneously. This principle reduces the downtime of the cutting system during assembly, thereby increasing the efficiency by up to 75 per cent.
This way, the sophisticated system technology enables a largely automated production process. When processing textile materials, the material is unwound directly from the roll, transported to the processing table and cut. In addition, there is often a special side effect for materials such as synthetic fibres. Due to the fact that it concentrates energy as heat, laser cutting can form a fused seam at the cutting edge if required, which prevents fraying.
Visit euroaser at K on stand F25 in Hall 3.