Elizabeth Kautzmann Laser/Fabrication Program Manager FANUC America Corporation
www.fanucamerica.com
VIEWPOINTS CNC-Powered Illuminated Laser Innovation I
n the world of industrial laser technology, illumi- nated solutions continue to expand into new ap- plications. Due to improvements in the intensity and wave length of the laser light, lasers are also expanding into new markets. The technology leaders continue to be fi ber and CO2 lasers. The fi ber trend has captivated many and is experiencing larger growth, but CO2 is still the tried and true proven tech- nology and leads in overall installed base. In terms of application, laser material processing dominates, with marking applications as a distant second. Watching the systems perform is impressive and tends to draw a crowd at tradeshows. However, what is not always ob- vious is the artistic choreography producing complex parts, which is largely due to the abilities of the CNC. Laser material processing has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 18% since the early 1980s. The demand for ever increasing performance is a result and refl ection of the over- whelming success that CO2 technology has brought to manufacturing. More dynamic laser energy, higher wattage and increased raw computing force push laser technology to new limits. Advanced computer numeric control (CNC) hardware and software driving the process are the unsung heroes, controlling the material processing at high speeds with exceptional accuracy. The effectiveness of CNC-controlled laser tech- nology lies in the applied solution driven nature of the systems. Several foundation technologies are driving the success of laser technology. First, laser/ electro-optics are not only the materials that optics are physically made out of—but also the coatings. Next, the CNC is the intelligence driving the solution. As the laser/electro-optics technology has advanced, so has the functionality and performance of new CNCs that are now capable of synchronizing laser modulation with sophisticated motion profi les. Consistently, it is the advanced CNC hardware and software that fortifi es the entire process, along with reliable CNC technology coupled with rugged, energy effi cient, high-perfor- mance servo-drive systems. This engineering design of the laser and control
delivers systems capable of meeting the challenge of ‘harnessing light’ while continuing to reduce cycle time and maintain part quality. The peak performance
of this process can only be achieved by the seamless integration of mechanical motion and light dynamics responding together. The sophistication of the CNC is what truly facilitates the expectation of balancing the speed of production, accuracy of the part and effective modulation of laser energy. A high degree of accuracy at high speeds allows for additional part complexity or future design innovation and welcomes migration of even more part types to laser processing. Once this confi dence is achieved, additional
innovation emerges in the laser programmers and operators. Design alterations in laser parts can be sug- gested and new practices applied. Inherent in the laser process is the ability to process nearly any geometry. Slight adaptations to profi les or adding high-speed CNC features to produce more fl uid motion are typi- cally possible, thus resulting in quicker cycle times, better quality and a reduction in machine wear. An optimized motion system achieved by CNC and servo tuning will run with fl uid motion. Mindful machine design, CNC optimization and optimal programming techniques must go hand in hand to enhance perfor- mance. The high-speed processing poses another chal- lenge of staging and fueling the system with suffi cient raw materials. Depending on the materials processed, automation for sheet loading and unloading may be essential. The heightened performance is now effi cient and reliable, allowing for predictable product fl ow, which may be of greater signifi cance. As laser technol- ogy continues to evolve, monitoring software will also need to keep pace with reporting the process condi- tions. More and more aspects of the process will need to be monitored and process adjustments made during production to ensure quality throughput and consis- tency are maintained. Industrial lasers have driven the growth of manu-
facturing. A fascination with laser processing and emerging applications using CO2, fi ber and solid-state solutions support this growth. The applications will continue to develop and increase in speed and agility. As our awareness and understanding of these tech- nologies increase, it’s still the CNC that will drive the success of the illuminated laser.
MfgEngMedia.com LF17
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