Extra Large Economies of Scale

By extending the flexibility and accuracy of tried and true flying optics laser cutting technology to a massive 10 ft by 20 ft table platform, this supersized laser cutting system is capable of tackling even the biggest projects.

The bottom line in laser processing is the simultaneous assurance of high productivity and performance. In large part fabrication, an operator can begin seeing the best of both worlds when the performance of general purpose, high-speed laser processing systems is extended into a bigger machine configuration that has extra large scale processing capabilities.

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The 6030XL Series laser system achieves this bottom line by using a flying optic design to accomplish diverse high precision applications at fast speeds on a 10 ft by 20 ft table – a comprehensive solution that improves productivity.

COST SAVINGS
Crane-building, mining, or trucking with its need for sub frames, are all clamoring for large components that rquire large-part fabrication. But most standard machines can only cut 10 ft to 12 ft, or at maximum, 13.1 ft (157 in x 78 in or 4 m x 2 m machines). This means that many larger components cannot be fabricated out of a single work piece.

Instead, multiple pieces must be welded together after initially being cut out of the steel, adding time and labor to any operation, both in set up and in assembly of multiple parts.

When large components can be cut out of a single work piece, then both secondary set up time and welding time can be virtually eliminated from the process. Even for small components, the more metal placed on the processing table for each set up, the less set up time per square foot results in labor savings over time.

The economy of scale doesn’t end there because operators also see material cost benefits when they can get better pricing from steel mills by buying larger coils or larger sheets. The XL machine can handle a full 20 ft by 10 ft by 1 ft work piece that translates into more parts per sheet, with no need to make joints and parts that have to be welded together afterward.

The XL Series implements new beam path protection covers, a technology that offers the possibility of a longer lifetime of use, lower cost of ownership and the best return on investment. The XL is available in 4.5 kW or 6 kW resonator output levels.

SAME PRECISION, BIGGER TABLE
The XL stroke is 260 in by 126 in by 6 in (X x Y x Z) with maximum processing rate of 1181 ipm, but it’s important to remember that although this machine can quickly handle large work pieces, those components aren’t always going to be made from one inch thick steel.

Some of the large gantry-style lasers don’t cut thin material very well due to their choice in focal lengths and generally lower resonator quality. On the other hand, as an extension of the ultra-precise high-speed eX laser cutter, the XL essentially cuts just as well as the 5 ft by 10 ft table eX – both are 4.5 kW machines that cut the same application range and both have the ability to cut thin and thick materials.

Also, with this large of a machine, the fixed beam length and adaptive optics are standard because it’s important to keep the beam size the same over the 200 sq ft of range.

GOING HORIZONTAL WITH AUTOMATION
Depending on the shop, floor space can be an issue, as can ceiling height. But even for a big machine like the XL series, this isn’t necessarily a concern. The key here is flexibility. If a shop owner doesn’t have the ceiling height to accommodate a tower but has the lateral space, they can use simple horizontal automation.