Matthias Lütke

Opportunities to enlarge the application area of remote-cutting

Remote-Cutting is an alternative method to conventional laser cutting processes when working on thin sheets. Working without any cutting gas the inertia can be reduced significantly. Deflected by two mirrors the laser beam becomes more flexible in the working envelope of the scanner. Depending on the sheet thickness cutting speeds of about 100 m/min in contours are possible [1], [2], [3].The target of this paper is to give some opportunities to enlarge the application area of remote-cutting. It will be shown how the maximum separable thickness can be increased. Furthermore, possibilities to widen the working area are shown. Investigations were done to determine the parameters, which have effect on the cutting quality. Obtained qualities and quantities are compared with those of conventional technologies.Moreover, investigations were done in order to determine the possibility to cut various materials. For example, the selective cutting of material compounds is described. This technology is also known as “Kiss-Cutting”. Using “Kiss-Cutting” improves the handling of thin metal foils and thus the productivity.Remote-Cutting is an alternative method to conventional laser cutting processes when working on thin sheets. Working without any cutting gas the inertia can be reduced significantly. Deflected by two mirrors the laser beam becomes more flexible in the working envelope of the scanner. Depending on the sheet thickness cutting speeds of about 100 m/min in contours are possible [1], [2], [3].The target of this paper is to give some opportunities to enlarge the application area of remote-cutting. It will be shown how the maximum separable thickness can be increased. Furthermore, possibilities to widen the working area are shown. Investigations were done to determine the parameters, which have effect on the cutting quality. Obtained qualities and quantities are compared with those of conventional technologies.Moreover, investigations were done in order to determine the possibility to cut various materials. For example, the selective cutting of material compounds is described. This technology is also known as “K...

Advanced remote cutting of non – Metal webs and sheets

Remote processing is known as a new trend to increase the productivity of production processes. Typical remote applications are not only laser welding of metals. Also the field of metal and non metal cutting and welding are well suited for remote processing. Within this presentation new industrial proven solutions will be described, using high speed beam deflection systems and classical Cartesian axes systems. The new system technology enables to realize cutting speeds up to 5 m/s for non-metals or contour cuts of thin metal sheets up to 60 m/min. In combination with specially adapted motion planning tools the production lines work in a flexible, efficient and stable manner.Remote processing is known as a new trend to increase the productivity of production processes. Typical remote applications are not only laser welding of metals. Also the field of metal and non metal cutting and welding are well suited for remote processing. Within this presentation new industrial proven solutions will be described, using high speed beam deflection systems and classical Cartesian axes systems. The new system technology enables to realize cutting speeds up to 5 m/s for non-metals or contour cuts of thin metal sheets up to 60 m/min. In combination with specially adapted motion planning tools the production lines work in a flexible, efficient and stable manner.