Sirius accurately cuts at high speeds

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 17, 2009

LVD has introduced Sirius, an automation-ready flying optics laser-cutting system.

Sirius provides efficient processing of parts at optimal speeds and accelerations to suit the part geometry, offering reliable cutting performance at an affordable price-performance ratio.

Sirius is offered in a standard and a 'Plus' model.

Sirius provides quick and precise positioning and consistently accurate laser processing.

The combination of a dynamic machine with an excellent laser-beam quality allows high-speed laser cutting.

Quick positioning is achieved with axis speeds up to 120m/min.

Sirius is designed with a modular construction, permitting the user to select the configuration that works best for their application and budget.

As a standard unit, the laser-cutting system features 3 x 1.5m integrated shuttle tables, which maximise uptime by allowing one table to be loaded while the machine is cutting on the other table.

Table change time is a mere 25s.

Sirius Plus is engineered as automation-ready and can be expanded with the addition of various components to form an automated load/unload system.

An optional compact tower-system creates a productive and flexible manufacturing cell that can be operated 'lights out'.

The tower system, working with the material-handling unit, provides full capabilities for loading and unloading and includes a shelving unit for storing raw material and finished parts.

Sirius is equipped with a laser cutting-head that accommodates a five or 7.5in quick-change lens for fast changeover and minimal set-up.

These water-cooled lenses can be exchanged easily, using a self-centring system.

Lens calibration is programmable and quick to achieve.

The Sirius Plus model offers NC Focus for programmable adjustment of the focal position without operator intervention.

This model also provides process control for piercing and cutting and an automatic shut down feature.

Sirius is equipped with a high-pressure cutting head that produces exceptionally clean cuts.

A crash-protection system protects the head from damage after collision with the workpiece.

A total power-control feature automatically adjusts the laser power in relation to the cutting speed, ensuring an optimal cut at every contour width and minimising the heat-affected zone.

The machine's edge-function feature processes sharp corners cleanly, particularly in thicker materials.

Like all LVD laser-cutting systems, the Sirius series employs the Fanuc GE RF excited fast axial flow CO2 laser.

Sirius is available with a powerful 2.5 or 4kW CO2 laser.

The laser, CNC control, drives and motors are fully integrated, providing superior processing speed, high reliability and low operating and maintenance costs.

The integrated Fanuc GE PC-based control provides perfect reproduction of programmed contours, producing acute angles at high speed.

The laser power is matched to the vectorial speeds to achieve a constant cut-width and a small heat-affected zone.

All parameters, diagnostic and start-up procedures are conveniently displayed on the screen.

The 32-bit control features powerful mathematical capabilities and an extensive material library.

Optional Cadman-L 3D offline programming software provides a comprehensive laser-cutting CAM package.

This includes an integrated 3D design and unfolding module, which allows easy importing of 2D and 3D designs and automatic unfolding and generation of flat patterns from 2D or 3D files.

Cadman-L 3D also incorporates automatic, semi-automatic or manual nesting and optimises cutting and machine parameters to maximise sheet utilisation.

Advanced features include cutting-path optimisation, common line cutting and high-speed communications via Windows, networking or DNC link to maximise machine productivity.