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The LC 2515 C1 AJ gets fabricators into the combination world

The AMADA LC 2515 C1 AJ combination laser/punch

The AMADA LC 2515 C1 AJ combination laser/punch combination joins the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of the proven AMADA fiber laser to the tried-and-true, multi-talented LC series turret punch press.

 

To summarize the operation of this machine (and its other brethren from AMADA), imagine a 5 x 10 sheet of steel sitting on a machine table. For punching, the sheet moves in the X and Y axis. For the laser, the sheet moves only in the X axis because the laser cutting head moves in the Y axis.

 

The laser is a 3kW model with a 1,200 ipm cutting speed and a precise repeatability of +/1 0.0002 inches. The head “floats,” which enables the laser to cut out-of-flat materials without changing materials or correcting. The punching machine boasts a tonnage of 22 U.S. tons, and will perform 370 hits per minute (HPM) in the X direction, and 280 HPM in the Y direction (based on 0.197” stroke and 1” pitch).

 

It is possible you have heard of this combination product before—now let’s look at how its technologies are deployed to give you one of the most efficient combination machines ever built. We will also look at which features bring you efficiency, enhanced operations, and higher quality in the process.

 

Efficiency

 

The Multi-Purpose Turret (MPT) is available either with the 44- or 49-station layout, each of which is equipped with four tapping stations. In most cases, this eliminates the need for secondary operations. The design also saves time in tool selection: a pneumatic striker system works with a high-powered AC motor (the servo that drives the turret) and bi-directional turret rotation to provide split-second tool selection.

 

AMADA’s AMNC controller is the keeper of programs as well as the operator’s human machine interface (HMI). It is a free-standing but connected controller that links directly to the laser/punch machine as well as the company’s network. The operator can see the program for each part, and control both the laser cutting and punching from a single physical console and in a single program—no need to move between two controllers or switch programs.

 

Getting rid of scrap is automatic; the LC 2515 C1 AJ comes with a punching scrap conveyor (or slug conveyor). Additionally, the laser is equipped with a special laser scrap/slag removal system that offers continuous operation. The scrap is collected on an agitating tray and delivered to a small conveyor. The system deposits the scrap into a collection bucket.

 

For larger parts, a work chute (see Figure 1) is standard. It is large enough (15 ¾” x 60”) to handle large parts or multiple small parts simultaneously. This reduces the frequency of the work chute opening and closing, at which time the system pauses—it keeps the machine doing the work.

The work chute on AMADA's LC 2515 C1 AJ laser/punch combination
Figure 1: The work chute on the AMADA LC 2515 C1 AJ

Enhanced operations

 

To broaden the scope of capabilities, this machine has a high-speed floating brush table, which raises the material as it moves into position, then lowers the table. The ram is then cycled downward from above, and the form is created. The brush table then raises again and the material moves to the next position (see Figure 2). Using this methodology, down-forming is allowed. Extrusions or tabs up to 5mm (0.197”) in depth can be done safely and efficiently. The work is done quietly and scratch-free.

Figure 2: How the floating brush table works

One of the age-old challenges in punching is slug pulling. To meet this challenge—and in fact to virtually eliminate slug pull altogether–the LC 2515 C1 AJ has a power vacuum system (used on 1 ¼” and ½” stations), plus a slug suction system (for 2” and larger stations—see Figure 3). For the smaller stations, air is blown down through the dies. This creates a negative pressure that eliminates slug pulling in most materials and situations. Due to the air pressure, the punch needs to travel a shorter distance into the die to ensure the slug is forced down. The tool is moving a shorter distance, so the operator can expect longer tool life and higher hit rates.

Quality

 

The high-quality forming provided by the LC 2515 C1 AJ is the result of engineering and control science. The punch/laser combination’s control can be programmed to produce high-quality forms with ease. The system can produce the appropriate amount of dwell on the bottom of the punching stroke. For example, if an operator is bending stainless steel, the system can hold the material until it achieves the highest quality form. While the approach speed of the tool is at high speed, it slows as it nears the material to provide great accuracy resulting in a brake-like control of the forming operation. Maximum tonnage, forming tonnage and ram speed are all programmable.

The slug suction unit on the AMADA LC 2515
Figure 3: The heart of the slug suction system

The bridge frame design insures stability. The single side piece frames are welded into box section, and the completed frame is treated in a large-scale heat chamber to relieve stresses introduced by welding. By using such a stable frame, any deflection because of punching forces will not move the tool and die out of parallel. It also eliminates side thrust factors when nibbling, slotting, and forming non-symmetrical shapes—anything that might have an off-center load. Taking away the effects of side thrust means longer tool and machine life as well.

The laser cutter that is part of the LC 2515 C1 AJ also brings quality assurances. It boasts the following special features:

 

  • Automatic focus control: an additional axis is used to position the focus point of the cutting lens automatically
  • Cutting data library: An integrated cutting data library helps set up the proper parameters when dealing with different materials, thicknesses, and conditions—parameters such as feed rate, laser power, nozzle gap, beam width, gas type and many more can be preset
  • Capacitive cutting head system: This system guarantees consistent focus by keeping the high-speed head at the same distance from the material using capacitance; this disallows head contact with the material and in fact negates the need for vinyl covering in most cases
  • Nozzle cleaner and nozzle changer: If the nozzle has dirt or other substance on it, it can be cleaned automatically; if the nozzle needs to be changed out, the system will do so automatically

Automation

 

The automation option with the LC 2515 C1 AJ is the AMADA ASR 3015 NTK (see Figure 4), a material storage and retrieval system with parts picking and stacking abilities. The system is attached to the rear side of the LC 2515 C1 AJ, can do skeleton removal, and has six shelves of material/finished part storage. (The front side of the machine is open for manual sheet loading, for instance in a hot job situation.) The automation system can run unattended 24 x 7, and greatly enhances the productivity of the LC 2515 C1 AJ.

A fully automated LC 2515 C1 AJ laser/punch combination
Fiogure 4: Full automation with the ASR 3015 NTK

If you are starting to measure your business by part rather than by process, you will be amazed at what the combination laser/punch can do for you. You can go from sheet to full-fledged part in one machine.

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