Carbon dioxide laser source is powerful cutter

GE Fanuc has enhanced the processing performance of its C2000E carbon dioxide laser source to provide the metal plate cutting capability equivalent to a 3kW laser.

GE Fanuc has enhanced the processing performance of its C2000E carbon dioxide laser source to provide the metal plate cutting capability equivalent to a 3kW laser.

Together with other function enhancements, the new version also offers an improved finish on the cut-surface, increased reliability and easier maintenance.

The enhanced new laser model, named C2000E, allows 2500W maximum laser output power.

GE Fanuc offers a range of CNC controlled laser solutions for high performance cutting or welding machine tools from 1 to 6kW.

The latest GE Fanuc C2000E CO2 laser source features an improved oscillator offering high quality cutting of sheet metal for thicknesses up to around 12mm of stainless steel at 0.3m/min, compared with a maximum thickness of 8mm for its predecessor.

At the same time, the cutting finish quality has been improved by a controlled pulse power feedback function.

This leaves a typical 6mm thick mild-steel sheet with a cut edge Ra surface roughness measurement of around 0.8um, down from 1.3um, when cut at 2.7m/min.

Software functionality enhancements, such as laser maintenance data screens, and other technology improvements which allow longer periods between mirror cleaning, deliver increased reliability and maintainability.

The laser is available as an integrated package interfaced with a high reliability GE Fanuc CNC and servomotors.

The laser source communicates directly with the CNC via an optical bus.

Control of laser and machine are always synchronised as this is carried out by only one processor.

The complete solution provides optimised machine performance, offering high speed and high accuracy, and ensuring quick, faultless startups of laser machines.

All necessary laser control, historical data and diagnostics are integrated into the CNC, ensuring simplified handling for operation and maintenance purposes.

No additional controller is required, and no further work is required by the machine manufacturer to link the laser and CNC.

At the same time, all the usual features of the CNC can be used by the machine tool.

The full range of CO2 laser sources includes the 1 to 6kW C1000E, C2000E, C4000E, C5000E and C6000E models.

The 6kW model offers stable cutting of mild steel up to 32mm thick.

There are also open CNC options enabling the connection of a PC via a serial high-speed optical fibre link, enabling the two-way transfer of large volumes of data.

This enables MTBs to customise machines to suit individual customer demands.

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