Power and uptime define the REGIUS 3015 AJ e 26kW laser

The REGIUS 3015 AJ e 26kW is AMADA’s new offering in the REGIUS fiber laser family. The wattage is 26kW. It takes advantage of an enhanced design that gives operators a powerful, fast, and accurate laser cutting solution. In addition, it has the world’s fastest linear drive system with a variety of autonomous features to ensure high-speed, continuous operation.

Many of these work-saving and continuity-preserving features are contained in AMADA’s Laser Integration System (LIS), including a variety of features that reduce setup time and maximize quality. LIS autonomously monitors nozzle condition, pierce penetration, tip-ups, and debris on the protection glass. It also ensures optimal cutting by using wavelength analysis, and performs automatic collision recovery if the laser head collides with a tip-up on the sheet.

Here are more details about the automated functions LIS brings to REGIUS operators:

• i-Nozzle Checker: This feature allows the operator to forget about the nozzle on the laser cutter. The REGIUS’ i-Nozzle Checker regularly inspects the nozzle for position, centering, shape, and diameter. The system will automatically replace the nozzle with a spare if nozzle damage is detected, reducing the number of processing defects, as well as reducing the downtime and operator demands of performing the change.
• i-Process Monitor: The i-Process Monitor uses wavelength analysis to identify cutting failures. Cutting automatically stops if a failure is detected. The i-Nozzle Checker and nozzle changer allow the REGIUS to identify nozzle damage, change the nozzle, and resume operation automatically. In another function, the i-Process Monitor can detect pierce penetration. When the system detects this, cutting starts immediately to greatly reduce cycle time (versus estimated piercing times).
• i-Optics Sensor: This feature of LIS solves another problem of laser cutting: the potential of having debris on the protection glass. The glass is regularly checked with a sensor installed inside the lens holder. The operator immediately knows when a problem occurs, helping reduce processing defects.
• Automatic Collision Recovery: One of the problems in laser cutting is when the laser head hits a tip-up area of the material being cut. When this occurs, there is a chance for damage to the laser head. With Automatic Collision Recovery, the system responds instantly to a tip-up collision by allowing the laser head to tilt during and after the collision. This reduces risk of damage during high-speed cutting. After a collision, the head will replace the nozzle and resume cutting at the next location coordinate.

ENSIS technology

ENSIS technology is proven in design and in customer use. It includes a Variable Beam Control Unit that automatically adjusts the beam’s properties to process a wide range of material thicknesses. It alters the laser beam mode using infinite changes; in doing so, it can process thin-to-thick materials without additional machine setup. The cut condition selected on the machine’s AMNC 4ie control dictates the automatic adjustments.

In addition, the REGIUS boasts the world’s fastest 3-axis linear drive system. How fast is it? The drive generates 5g’s of acceleration and reaches traverse speeds of 13,300 inches per minute. Compared to AMADA’s previous linear-driven machine, it reduces nest times by 15%. The drive softens the ramp up and ramp down traverse speeds to achieve high-speed, high-precision laser cutting.

Collimation technology

AMADA’s collimation technology automatically controls the beam diameter and beam configuration for unprecedented productivity:

• Collimation system expands ENSIS cut quality and capabilities
• Collimation mechanism does not limit access to cutting lens or head maintenance
• Infinite mode and diameter control combination is first in industry
• 1-second clean pierce in 1” plate
• Up to a 66% reduction in process time when compared to conventional fiber lasers at same wattage

AMNC 4ie Control

The AMNC 4ie control is equipped with a large touch screen that allows users to easily see information and load programs based on file name. Thumbnail views of parts or nests provide for quick and easy identification to ensure editing of a program on the shop floor is fast and efficient.

The control is not only network ready, but it comes ready to be integrated into AMADA automation system controls. A security system uses facial recognition to recognize the user, and set appropriate limits on the control functions based on a user’s level of expertise. Operators will find an optimized cutting data library, and quick and easy control of feed, power, duty cycle, frequency, gas selection, and pressure control, all using the system’s intuitive touch-screen interface.

Operators can quickly navigate through parts layout, work history, and maintenance inspection. The AMNC 4ie allows you to do automatic remnant nesting, and offers code marking, where the control generates a QR code for part identification. The system also provides surface treatment whereby the laser irradiates the material’s surface to improve cut quality.

Other included technologies

There are many other technologies included in the REGIUS 3015 AJ e 26kW:

i-Camera System: This internal camera takes a snapshot of the cutting bed and its material. On the control, the operator can quickly and easily place a drawing(s) over the material, and nest multiple parts until the remnant sheet is fully utilized.

Mobile HMI: One of the most exciting features on the AMNC 4ie control is that the screen can be shared with an Apple device. Operation status on machines can be checked remotely to reduce machine downtime. Users can check machine status or history to identify and resolve pauses in operations. Using this function, an operator can view the production schedule and remotely start and stop the machine.

Soft Joints: These joints hold parts in place with a thin laser cut tab to prevent part tip-ups and reduce lead times. In turn, they minimize head collisions, spattering, parts falling or deforming. No joints are left on the parts, eliminating the need for grinding or other secondary operations. Soft joints also allow easy removal for parts picking automation.

Dual Gas System: On the REGIUS, there is an “inner gas” area at the nozzle and an “outer gas” area. For those applications that use oxygen, this feature minimizes oxygen use by 60%. Additionally the reduction in thick mild steel taper is 50%.

Silky Cut: The Silky Cut feature of the REGIUS gives a superior, smooth, and shiny edge to the quality in stainless steel. Special optics are utilized to produce an extra smooth surface.

WACS II: The Water Assist Cutting System II (WACS II) allows thick materials to be efficiently processed by cooling the material during laser cutting. The laser cutting head can accurately cut closely-nested parts and eliminate the need of traversing to different areas of the material to avoid heat buildup.

Smart Edge: Smart Edge prevents dross and chipping when cutting corners on thick mild steel with O2. Neither additional programming nor modifying edge parameters is required to ensure high-quality part corners.

A technology tour de force

The REGIUS 3015 AJ e 26kW is not only a powerful new option that sets new standards in speed and automation, it provides technologies that automate processes, save time, and help ensure uptime. Its strength and speed are made more valuable by the ability to control the laser to match cutting conditions. The new enhancements in this machine are built on the shoulders of proven technologies from AMADA.