SMART MANUFACTURING
SYNCHRONISING LASER AND CNC OPERATIONS: DRIVING
SHOPFLOOR EFFICIENCY In many CNC machining environments, lasers and machine tools are treated as separate processes, sometimes even separate departments. However, as production requirements become more complex, manufacturers are looking at the potential to optimise workflows between laser cutting and CNC machining. Here, Gaetano Lo Guzzo, director of Laser Business Europe at manufacturing technology specialist Mazak, explains how synchronisation between laser and CNC can be achieved using shared automation, smart scheduling and right-first-time blanking.
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n manufacturing, timing matters. Precise planning and control of production time has a far-reaching impact, extending from operational costs and delivery commitments to reputation and overall customer satisfaction. The ability to have a grip on any small gaps in the production process can contribute to significant improvements. As automation technology and advanced equipment support the sector in meeting targets for output and quality, attention is shifting to how materials and goods move through a process. For manufacturers, streamlining movement and eliminating unnecessary transitions are central to achieving maximum shopfloor efficiency.
Identifying synergies between production units or cells can help to balance flexibility with predictability to respond to change and control time management. Integrating laser and CNC operations is now widely regarded as an area where further efficiency goals can be met.
GETTING IT ‘RIGHT FIRST TIME’ Laser cutting and CNC machining have traditionally been organised into separate departments with different equipment and different methods of operation. However, thanks to a new wave of innovation boosting the functionality and versatility of equipment, this landscape is changing. Increasingly, lasers and CNC machines are connected by technology that enhances accuracy and reduces variability, making it possible to cut parts once and proceed to machining with unrivalled levels of precision. Manufacturers applying this approach are finding clear workflow benefits. One example is DC Developments in Norfolk, which reorganised its processes after investing in two new fibre laser machines from Mazak. The company, already recognised for its fast production of metal components, aligned its laser and CNC operations to speed up transition between processes. As a result, cut parts can now move straight into machining for
finishing, supporting ultra-quick turnaround, shorter lead times and reliable output.
Achieving this method depends on ‘right first time’ laser blanking. The development of fibre technology in laser cutting means tasks are performed consistently to an excellent standard. Machining time can also be reduced for larger or complex parts by removing excess material quickly with a laser “rough cut” before the tooling stage begins.
The energy efficiency of fibre laser technology offers an additional benefit. Compared with CO₂ systems, fibre lasers operate with less electrical power consumption without the use of process gas. And, with fewer parts, reduced maintenance requirements mean that equipment is easier and cheaper to maintain. This longevity decreases the need for replacements, lowering carbon impact by ensuring less waste. Take Mazak itself is an example. In its own Worcester factory, introducing two OPTIPLEX NEO fibre laser machines has cut energy consumption by 67 per cent in comparison with four CO₂ cutters, demonstrating the scale of potential savings for manufacturers investing in updated systems.
SHARED AUTOMATION EQUALS DOUBLE THE LEARNING
Of course, with automation, systems are less prone to error when programmed correctly. High levels of precision and consistency can
14 Autumn2025 UKManufacturing
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