US-based laser-cutting and engraving systems manufacturer Kern Laser Systems’ new HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems can be equipped with technology that enables the laser systems to accurately cut sheet metals made from stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and brass.

The automatic-focusing height-follower technology is the key element that enables the optimal cutting of sheet metal using the HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems, which were released onto the local market last month by marking and identification company Traceability Solutions, the sole South African agents for Kern Laser Systems.

The automatic-focusing height-follower technology uses an automatic sensor to detect the capacitance from the tip of the isolated cutting nozzle to the metal being cut.

The data gained from this is then fed into the height-follower controller.

The gap between the metal being cut and the cutting nozzle can be adjusted until the desired gap is obtained. As the cutting process begins, the height follower tracks the contour of the metal and adjusts the nozzle in the z-axis, keeping a constant focus point, explains Traceability Solutions Africa sales manager Michelle Rossouw.

A high-pressure assist gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, is injected through the metal-cutting nozzle, which results in a dross-free cut edge that requires little to no deburring or finishing to smooth the ragged edges.

A pierce-dwell and variable-pierce assist pressure can be adjusted in Kern Laser Systems’ KCAM laser software package, which is supplied with the laser systems.

Kern Laser System’s metal-cutting machines are capable of cutting thin gauge metals with detailed designs. This is often difficult or impossible to perform with a high-powered laser, as it cannot cut with a stable power level, resulting in blow-outs or heat-affected zones.

The HSE 150 W laser system can cut mild steel of up to 2.3 mm thick and stainless steel of up to 1.9 mm thick using oxygen assist gas.

The HSE 400 W laser system can cut 4.8-mm-thick mild steel, 2-mm-thick stainless steel, 1.5-mm-thick aluminium and 1-mm-thick brass using oxygen assist gas.

Further, the HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems can also etch dark durable marks onto a variety of metals.

A few of the most common metal etching applications are creating bar codes, nameplates and etched tools, says Rossouw.

Stainless steel can be marked dark using an oxygen assist gas. Metals that are more reflective, like aluminium, can be marked using a marking spray, she adds.

The HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems feature a wraparound gantry, which traverses over the cutting bed, enabling the finished parts to be easily removed at all sides of the machine; a high-speed servo motor motion system, which is capable of tight tolerances and accurate positioning; and a flying-optics beam delivery, which provides constant beam power and cutting quality over the entire cutting table, says Rossouw.

The system also has a solid steel frame and a vacuum table built into the stand to hold down the material and remove smoke fumes.

The metal cutting table is constructed of a durable steel grid work, which reduces surface contact with the bottom side of the metal being cut. A 52 inch x 25 inch to 80 inch x 120 inch sheet of metal can be accommodated by the Kern Laser Systems’ largest cutting tables.

The laser systems are compatible with computer-aided design software, including CorelDraw, AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator.

The HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems can be used as a normal carbon dioxide laser to cut or engrave several substrates, including acrylic, leather, textiles, light sheet metals, foam and marble; however, it also features a metal cutting option.

In addition, a rotary attachment can be added to the HSE 150 W and HSE 400 W laser systems for the processing of pipes, rods and other cylindrical items.

The rotary device is driven by a high-resolution servo motor, resulting in smooth and accurate cutting performance, says Rossouw.

Two different rotary setups are available to choose from, namely the Chuck Rotating setup and an alternative rotary device, which uses rollers to spin a cylindrical item, allowing for engravings to wrap around the entire outside surface.

The Chuck Rotating setup implements a lathe chuck to firmly secure the pipe in place. A tailstock is pushed up against the opposite end to keep the pipe rotating on the center as it is being cut. The tailstock can be adjusted on a rail for different lengths of pipe. The pipe-cutting device is commonly used by manufacturers of motorcycle exhausts, large filters and pipe joints.

The alternative rotary device has no chuck and tailstock holding the ends of the product, which allows the laser head full access to the ends of the cylindrical item. This rotary device is suited to engraving applications that require the entire surface of the product to be engraved.

Besides being used for metal cutting, the systems are versatile enough to be used in the making of signs, monuments and headstones, scale models and electrical-panel fabrication.