ESAB unveils COMBIREX DX Plasma

ESAB Cutting Systems (www.esabcutting.com) has unveiled a sturdy gantry for plasma and oxy-fuel cutting that features a high-stiffness beam design patterned on larger gantry machines, the COMBIREX DX Shape Cutting Machine.

Just like its larger cousins, the COMBIREX DX offers similar precision rack & pinion drives and precision linear rail, providing outstanding reliability and performance for small to medium fabrication manufacturers and shop.

Specifically developed for low maintenance requirements and long service life, the COMBIREX DX comes with heavy duty gearboxes and digital AC drives. The robust gantry can be equipped with a maximum of four stations that includes one plasma station, which features ESAB’s m3 Precision Plasmarc system. This system enables the COMBIREX DX to mark and cut with the same plasma torch.

For a strong foundation and easy installation on concrete floors, the three-axis gantry provides all-steel construction that features machine mating rides and surfaces on triple-machined T-rails, which are mounted on H-beam rail supports. The machine delivers speed of up to 1,000 ipm (25,000 mm/min), working lengths of up to 59 ft (18 m) and cutting widths between five ft and 10 ft (1.5 m to three m).

The COMBIREX DX is offered with a selection of 360, 200 or 450 Amp m3 plasma systems. Featuring CNC-controlled output current for enhanced starting and longer consumable life, each of the rugged power supplies also delivers 100 percent duty cycle. The system has the ability to cut aluminum and stainless steel up to 1.75 inches thick or carbon steel up to 2.5 inches thick, depending on the configuration.

The ESAB’s Vision CNC is offered as one of the standard equipment of the COMBIREX DX.

Han-Kwang releases series PS 2D short-gantry flying-optic laser system

Han-Kwang (www.hankwangus.com) is proud to introduce a new Series PS, specifically the Model PS 3015, which is a short-gantry, two-dimensional flying-optic laser system that can handle 60″ wide x 120″ long workpieces. The short-gantry arrangement is designed to enhance the user’s vision on the machine, while the series’ more compact design facilitates a high level of regulation during the cutting process.

The Model PS 3015 is designed with a rapid single axis speed of 4724ipm, simultaneous 7900ipm speed in X-Y axis, driven by two servos on the gantry, and a maximum cutting speed of 1181ipm, with positioning accuracies much better compared with +/-0.004″ per 118″ of travel and repeatability to 0.001″. To maintain optimum productivity during processing, a dual shuttle pallet system is also onboard.

The laser system from Han-Kwang has a Panasonic CO₂ laser resonator in 2.5KW, 4KW and 6KW versions, and a patented beam radius control that optimizes the beam diameter for several thickness variations and material substrates, leading to enhanced part quality.

It also features a plasma monitoring unit that constantly tracks cut errors to reduce out-of-tolerance conditions during the cutting cycle, as well as a built-in lens crack sensor that monitors the state of lens contamination. Instant alerts are also sent through the onboard Siemens CNC to provide users and maintenance personnel immediate alarm notifications.

All machine laser cutting operations and mechanical movements are controlled by the powerful SINUMERIK 840D CNC from Siemens. An optional rotary axis is also available for tube cutting up to 12″ OD with the laser system.

Compact Linear-Motor Gantry from Aerotech

Aerotech’s AGS1500 series Cartesian gantry systems are designed for ultra-precision, high-dynamic contouring, and provide outstanding performance in precision micromachining, stencil cutting, fuel cell manufacturing, solder-ball placement, printed electronics, high-speed pick-and-place, automated assembly, vision inspection, dispensing stations, and high-accuracy inspection.

The AGS1500 is based on our industry-leading AGS15000 gantry, and maintains many of the same leading-edge characteristics but in a more compact footprint. The planar design minimizes dynamic pitch errors at the work point. The design also keeps the linear motors and linear encoders to the outside of the work area, making the gantry less susceptible to debris-induced damage.

High Speed/High Acceleration
Aerotech’s high-performance brushless linear servomotors drive the AGS1500 to speeds of 3 m/s and accelerations of 5 g. Dual linear motors and encoders are included on the lower axis for the highest level of performance and precision. The bearings are preloaded linear motion guides with wiper seals and grease fittings, and are mounted to provide optimized dynamic stiffness and load distribution. The rugged noncontact optical linear encoders offer resolutions to 1 nm when coupled with Aerotech’s controllers.

Long-Lasting Cable Management System
The cable management system (CMS) is optimized and field-proven as the industry’s most reliable design. Large bend radii and high-flex cables ensure that the AGS1500 provides millions of cycles of maintenance-free operation. In the unlikely event of a component failure, the AGS1500’s modular design ensures that part replacement is fast and easy.

All customer cabling and pneumatics can be routed through the system e-chain. Connectors are provided at the work piece and at the opposite end of the e-chain, greatly simplifying final machine integration.

Aerotech’s years of experience manufacturing precision positioning and control systems can be leveraged by acquiring a turnkey system. Typical options include Z-theta mechanisms, risers to accommodate automated parts handling equipment, brackets for flying optics components, isolation systems, and machine bases that are designed to accommodate the entire controls and electronics subsystems. In addition, Aerotech manufactures a wide range of amplifiers and advanced motion controllers that are optimized for high-performance automation applications and are a perfect complement to your Aerotech gantry.

Aerotech
www.aerotech.com/products/gantries/ags1500.html

New Precision, Multi-axis Air Bearing Gantry System from Steinmeyer

BURLINGTON, MA — Steinmeyer, Inc. announced a new precision, multi- axis air bearing gantry system. This motion system consists of an XY stage utilizing air bearings plus a conventional ball screw driven Z table. It is ideal wherever there is a need for ultra high precision and outstanding dynamic performance.

Typical uses include:

- laser machining
- inspection systems
- pick and place devices
- dispensing systems, and
- gene chip production equipment.

These stages (which may be completely customized) achieve the following standard XY specifications: travel is 600 mm X 600 mm, positional accuracy is 10 microns, positioning repeatability is +/- 1 micron, straightness and flatness is 1 micron. Both X and Y stages are driven by ironless, electrodynamic linear motors with maximum acceleration of 10 m/s² and velocity of 1000 mm/s. Position feedback is accomplished via an incremental linear encoder with a resolution of 50 nm. Typical Z stage performance includes: 25 to 200 mm travel; positional accuracy of 10 microns; and repeatability of +/- 1 micron. A separate motion control option is available based on customer specifictions.

Steinmeyer
www.steinmeyer.com