Benefits of Using CAD-CAM CNC Control Software

The manufacturing industry has a long history of evolution. From products to tools and the working, everything has advanced. Like, we have CNC to help us carry out various activities effortlessly. The availability of Bystronic parts and Fanuc parts online to ensure the proper working of CNC, etc. 

CNC has become so common that it's rare to see industries not using them. 

Besides, adding CAD-CAM to CNC simplifies tasks and gets them done on time. It is way better than all the manual alternatives available today.

Here are the advantages of including CAD-CAM in your CNC toolkit.

1. Programming Potential

If you add CAD-CAM to your CNC toolkit, you can take on even the most challenging jobs. For instance, 3 axis machining jobs. It can help you create and manage toolpaths for jobs like molds, which are impossible to calculate manually or even via canned machine cycles. The CAD-CAM software will automate the entire process. 

2. Control over Job Programming

Modern CAD-CAM software has CAD Tree functionality that allows job tracking. You can view all the commands and processes from beginning to end.

With it, you will have full control over processing -  stock, work coordinates, material, tooling, operations, and output of NC programs. You can also save and load machining templates and copy and paste operations. Other benefits include reordering the job sequence, associating the toolpath to auto-update all the paths after the edit, etc.

With these capabilities, you can get the work done faster. 

3. Accessible by Clients

With CAD-CAM, you can receive models faster than before. You can open the file, set the toolpath, and directly perform simulations. These simulations can then help you identify the processes and plan a quote, such as calculating cycle times. 

You can deliver the products faster and at an affordable price than before. This software would allow you to design, manage projects, test, simulate, and deliver more quickly. 

4. No Guesswork

Using CAD-CAM maximizes the programming efficiency. It removes the guesswork by making operators follow the steps in creating machine toolpaths. It ensures that the operator has set cutting depths, selected tools, chose toolpath style, managed lead-ins and outs, set compensation settings, and other essentials. 

It allows programmers to be faster and handle the operations error-free even in case of high complexity. 

5. High Speed

It provides high-speed machine toolpaths that reduce cycle time and ensures less wear and tear. Instead, it improves the quality of cutting by eliminating the traditional toolpaths' stop and go actions. 

Its circular motion cutting makes the engagement with the material constant, deep, giving a sharp cut. Overall, it can improve productivity by 50 percent. 

6. Less Wastage

CAD-CAM provides simulation that helps inspect processes and catch gouges and collisions before moving to the CNC machine. It alone helps eliminate costly mistakes and waste. 

Simulations provide complete detail of the process. It helps visualize the process, such as cutting a metal sheet before the actual procedure. 

7. Simple and Cost-Effective

Creating NC programs via 4 and 5 axis machining can be difficult. But CAD-CAM makes it easier. It provides a toolpath and special post-processing to index the 4th axis. It also allows operators to customize the posts for 4 and 5 axis machines. 

You can also simulate the full 4 and 5 axes to inspect the machines before the NC program reaches the machines. 

8. Seamless Integration

You can integrate CAM machining modules into your CAD software as a plugin. This would allow you to create machining for the part, simulate, and create NC programs. The best part is that you won't have to re-learn the entire CAD-CAM system. Besides, you would be able to provide better service and programming facilities. With basic training, you can start using the tool. 

To Conclude

These advantages are enough to justify the importance of having CAD-CAM with your CNC toolkit. It will help you stay productive, competitive, and profitable. 

Meanwhile, check out the Bystronic parts for CNC.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/benefits-of-using-cad-cam-cnc-control-software

C02 Laser: Everything You Need to Know

If we go back to laser cutters' history, we would see C02 lasers on the top. And if you look at the current trends, Co2 still is one of the most useful. The technology that Kumar Patel invented in 1964 is still one of the finest laser cutting/engraving machines.

And no doubt, you can get Trumpf laser parts for the same. Bystronic also provides Bystronic laser consumables for the Co2 lasers. 

It provides high power, precision, and consistency. The sole reason why many businesses use Co2 lasers for personalization. 

Their engravers and cutters are so precise that they can create any design on any material. It doesn't matter if it's wood, metal, plastic, or paper.

How does a Co2 Laser Works?

In Co2 laser cutters, the light is produced when electricity runs through a glass-filled tube. There are mirrors on both ends of the tube. One is reflective, and the other allows light to pass through it. These mirrors help laser beams to cut. The gas in the tube consists of helium, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen. 

The nitrogen molecules in the tube get charged. They start producing high-energy vibrations that excite Co2 molecules. And then comes a stage of population inversion where nitrogen has to release the energy. It then comes in contact with cold helium particles and releases energy in the form of photons that produce a beam of light. 

The released light is more potent than normal light because of the mirrors. So, the mirrors reflect the light and cause waves to build in intensity. The light passes through the partially reflective mirror only when it's bright enough. 

Since it's infrared, it has a high wavelength and can cut any material. The intensity of the light vaporizes the material, thereby leaving a smooth touch. 

Depending on the material you want to engrave or cut, you can decrease the power and speed.

Co2 Laser Specifications: Lenses, Lifetime, and Spare Parts

Lenses

Just like the different power capacities of Co2, there are different types of lenses available for Co2. Based on their focal length, their purpose differs. Let's check them out. 

1. Lens 1.5"

To engrave small letters or details, these lens resolutions are highly recommended. They produce a laser beam between 0.0762 and 0.1651mm. They are suitable for materials with a thickness of less than 1.8mm.

2. Lens 2"

These are the standard lenses available in most lasers. They produce a beam between 0.1 and 0.18mm. They are best to cut or engrave materials with a thickness between 300 and 600 dpi.

3. Lens 4"

They produce a more focused cut at a vertical distance. Experts highly recommend these lenses for engraving and cutting thick material.

Lifetime

The lifetime of your laser lens highly depends on its use and handling. Maintenance is another factor that defines its lifetime. Keeping this aside, the quality of the consumables and parts also affects its durability.

For some lenses, the approx durability is around 6 to 9 months. So before you buy one, discuss it with your provider.

Spare Parts

Lasers of any type highly depend on their consumables and parts. So when you replace the parts, make sure they are of top brands. We would recommend going with Trumpf laser parts. For consumables, Bystronic laser consumables. 

Also, check out other brands such as Hypertherm, Fanuc, Mazak, etc.

Uses of Co2 Lasers

We already saw that they are the best option for personalization and high precision cutting. Besides this, you can also use them for welding or in the additive manufacturing process of selective laser sintering.

Co2 lasers are also useful in the medical field. Many surgical procedures utilize Co2 lasers as water could easily absorb the high frequency of light and make tissues. 

Laser surgeries and skin resurfacing also make use of Co2 lasers. They are also used to treat skin conditions such as hirsuties papillaris genitalis by removing bumps. 

Other branches such as dentistry, gynecology also use these lasers.

Artists providing custom wooden engraving designs use it for personalization.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/c02-laser-everything-you-need-to-know

4 Industries that Depend Heavily on Laser Cutting

Laser cutting has various applications in different sectors. Its popularity and capabilities depend on the cut, speed, and high precision. But still, lasers are faster and accurate than other cutting equipment. They are safe as execution takes place in a tight lightbox. It means the laser is away from hands and other body parts and thus prevents any accidental harm. 

It is also cost-effective. It reduces the wastage of materials, requires less maintenance (all thanks to consumables such as Hypertherm powermax 65 fine cut consumables), and can work with an array of different materials. Besides, spares like Hypertherm plasma cutter parts extend their life shell, which again helps save cost. 

All these factors are the reason why many industries prefer laser cutting services. 

Here are a few of those:

1. Aerospace

The aerospace industry is one of the greatest utilizers of precision engineering. They need high-quality lasers to cut down metal sheets and parts and produce airplanes. 

These laser cuts provide them with the accuracy and versatility that are must for mechanical and construction work. Using it, they can cut parts into significantly smaller ones and also create microscopic holes. They can also cut heavy-duty aluminum alloys and other rare metals with low heat-affected zones and flawless finish. 

Apart from this, laser cutting can also help with combustion liners, metal detectors, trolleys, conveyors, and stillages. The combined use of laser drilling and engraving methods can produce unmatched results.

2. Automotive

Just like aerospace, the automotive industry depends on intricate parts and components. And you can engineer them via laser cutting methods. For example, turning metals into different forms. 

Most of the manufacturers prefer metal turned into 3D forms, especially on exotic vehicles. And for this, they prefer high precision laser cutting services. They can produce clean, smooth, and consistent designs without any error. 

However, that's not the only limit to the use of laser cutting. You can also use it to sever cloth for airbags. When used on airbags, they can instantly melt the fabric leaving no fragments of frayed materials. 

3. Electronics

In this industry, laser cutting has a high demand due to its ability to accurately cut delicate parts and components. 

With every passing year, this demand doubles. The transition of SD cards to microSDs is one of the examples to justify it. 

This transition also states that you cannot use conventional processes for cutting. It has to be ultra-precise laser tools. One of its popular examples is multi-layer circuit boards. 

As lasers require less marginal space to cut, they can cut accurately. And thus, manufacturers can design circuit boards in the smallest dimensions. 

Lasers also play an essential role in cutting finished products—for example, plastic and metal cases for mobile phones and laptops.

4. Medical

This industry produces parts, equipment, and devices that need to be swift, precise, and flawless. Lives depend on them, and so quality, consistency has to be of the highest standard. 

Indeed, laser cutting makes it possible for devices to be perfect. Look at high-grade stents that relieve kidney stone pain and birth control measures. Lasers cut them. 

Laser cutting technology is also used to produce hospital supplies such as stainless steel bed frames and trolleys, bone reamers, valve framers, vascular clips, etc. 

They also help with cutting exotic metals like titanium. These metals prove useful for surgical tools and orthopedic pins and clips. Based on their nature, i.e., hard to process and extensive tool wear, laser cutting cuts down the material. 

Perhaps, the most significant use of laser cutting in medicine is to perform surgery on human skin, bones, and organs. As they cut precisely, swiftly, and cleanly, they are a preferable option.

Overall

Laser cutting technology provides the best precision over other methods. It's only because of it that we can enjoy the advancements in technology and services. Today, it's four. Soon, it shall be in demand in almost all the industries.

That's it for the day!

Meanwhile, keep reading and experimenting with laser cutting technology. If any of the parts wear out, go for Hypertherm plasma cutter parts.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/4-industries-that-depend-heavily-on-laser-cutting

ProCutter: Details, Features, and Benefits

ProCutter has a unique feature that uses a linear bearing system for accurate and excellent cuttings. The benefits of ProCutter are:

• User-friendly 
• Easy and simple to install
• Plastic strip for sightline that helps to see the cutting line
• Helps in cutting thickness up to 20mm 
• The dust-free operation to closely work with printers

ProCutter utilizes fiber optic cable for beam transmission, making it easy to use in conjunction with the plasma process, as there are no mirrors that will contaminate it. It has a height sensing system that helps to maintain constant height for the best cut quality. 

Features and Benefits of ProCutter:

• Automatic focus position for fast machine setup
• Reduces the piercing time
• The high cutting speed at any operating temperature
• Beam path completely sealed
• The simple and safe cartridge replacement system
• Tool center point retention
• Permanent protective window monitoring
• Easy exchange of lens cartridge
• Quickly changes protective window cartridge
• LED operating display
• Displays operating parameters via Bluetooth
• Monitors pressure in the nozzle area and head
• Height sensing system for the best quality
• Ceramic near the nozzle gives protection from collision

Along with all these features and benefits, other cutting features come with the ProCutter. ProCutter has some cutting features that make cutting easy and accurate and help improve the machines' life and mechanisms. It works smoothly as it can work fast and efficiently.

ProCutter 2.0 is an impressive cutter for its high performance and automation, making it a reliable choice, especially for a load capacity in flatbed and tube cutting systems. It has a maximum laser power of 30 kW.

Different consumables are an important part of these cutters, like ESAB plasma cutter consumables and Hypertherm hpr260 consumables. Like a torch, these consumables target the area and then cut, which makes for an accurate cut.

There are many advantages to ProCutter. Using these cutters, the cutting process becomes easy and accurate.

Advantages of ProCutter

• Maximum Productivity

These cutters are now an important part of every industry. Nowadays it is very easy to choose both, high utilization of machines and less payback period. New technology helps to reduce the number of reworks.

ProCutter uses high speed; the cutting head of the cutter works at a speed of 30 kW. This speed is possible as its mechanism has the best cooling concepts and extended travel paths. It has a very optimized design that increases the cutter's speed up to 25%, even when it does not require laser power. It also has a magnification feature that makes the process compatible with every type and thickness of material. 

This helps to increase the productions and saves time and energy. Using this benefits the industry in every way.

• Intelligent Sensors

Using this cutter, one can have the best quality and stability. It has a mechanism of Pierce-Tec, which is an automation process that helps to achieve consistent holes and the best surface quality. This mechanism helps to save time in reworkings and operating costs. The acquired real-time information helps reduce the machines’ downtime.

The cutting head has smart sensors to monitor the conditions of critical components or cutting process parameters. The sensor provides planned maintenance and utilizes spare parts efficiently, reducing the costs and providing more safety.

The main advantage of using this cutter is that one can easily access the data from their phones with the ProCutter app. It also becomes easy to see the error messages.   

End Words

It is always good to use ProCutter to have the best quality and accuracy in cutting heads. The consumables like ESAB plasma cutter consumables help for more targeted cuttings. They have a torch type cutting for accuracy.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/procutter-details-features-and-benefits 

Laser Machine Nozzle: Facts and Details

A nozzle is a device to control the direction or characteristics of the flow of fluid. Nozzles are also for laser machines that engrave designs on things. 

Nozzles control the flow, speed, direction, mass, shape, and pressure of the stream that emerges from it. There are different types of nozzles for different purposes.

Nozzles are an important part of laser machines as they help to cut sheets perfectly. Many companies have laser machines like Mitsubishi and Trumpf.

What are Mitsubishi Lasers?

Mitsubishi laser machines give more output at low costs. This has continuous movements of the processing head without stopping, and only the laser beams are switched on or off. Along with Mitsubishi lasers, there are many other companies for the same. The companies like Mitsubishi and Trumpf manufacture nozzle spare parts that are easy to use by machines to manufacture and cut.

Using this laser system can shorten machining time, and this helps to save the cost per part. This reduces up to 98% piercing time of mild steel.

Nowadays, there are thicker materials that one can engrave on. This means the piercing has to be possible for 8 to 25mm thickness. 

This helps to maintain the good health of the operator and benefits the environment. The fumes that arise from the cutting process depend on the position of the processing head. This locally passes through a filter system whose purity rate is 99.99% with minimum effort. The outcome is clean and benefits the environment. 

This machine can work 24 hours a day and is quiet at night because of its special Night mode. As the program starts, Z-axis rises into the top position before the processing head moves in starting position. This reduces the risk of collisions. This has a magnetic damage reduction mechanism that secures from any kind of damage.

This laser machine helps to save a lot of time as it is user friendly. It needs a barcode to scan. Once you scan, you just need to start the machine with a simple button, minimizing the setup time! 

Mitsubishi lasers are so user friendly that even a person who does not know how to use them can operate them and has superior cutting results. All chief components display on the screen, so it is easy to monitor them. This has active control, which helps to adjust focus position and cutting speed.

It gives you all the help you need by displaying the remaining time of the process to end. It also has the time forecast feature, which helps to know the exact time that the process will take. Individual programs link with the contours for easy modification.

Sometimes, when the nozzles are worn out, one can easily find an alternative from a very trustworthy source, for instance, Mitsubishi spare parts and Trumpf spare parts. These nozzles come in different types to choose the best for machines. 

Types of Nozzles Used in Mitsubishi Lasers

• Jet

There are different types of jet nozzles. Gas jet, fluid Jet, or hydro-jet are nozzles that eject fluid or gas in a coherent stream into the surrounding medium.

Gas jets are for gas stoves, ovens, or barbecues. Fluid jets are mainly for the carburetors to regulate the flow of fuel into the engine.

• High Velocity

The main goal of a nozzle is to increase the kinetic energy of the flowing medium. They are known as convergent or divergent. 

Convergent-Divergent nozzle accelerates the fluid that has choked up in the convergent section to a supersonic speed. 

• Propelling

The hot air passes through the high-speed nozzle, a propelling nozzle that increases kinetic energy. An increase in velocity increases the mass flow. To match the exhaust velocity, airspeed provides the best energy efficiency.

• Magnetic

The magnetic nozzle has some type of propulsion in which the magnetic field directs the flow of plasma instead of walls made of solid matter.

• Spray

Nozzles produce a very fine spray of liquid. There are different types of spray nozzles like atomizer spray, air-aspirating nozzle, swirl nozzle.

• Vacuum

These nozzles come in different shapes. These are mainly for vacuum cleaners.

• Shaping

The shape of some nozzles is to produce a stream that is of an exact shape. 

End Words

Nozzles are an important part of laser machines. Whenever the nozzles need a replacement, some of the best companies provide such spare parts. Mitsubishi spare parts and Trumpf spare parts provide different sizes as per the machines.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/laser-machine-nozzle-facts-and-details

Machine Upkeep: The Retrofit Solution

Control retrofit is essential to increase the efficiency of production by improving system availability and communication. This helps to update old machines with new and latest technologies rather than changing the whole machine.

There are many such kinds of machines that use control retrofit to terminate issues and increase efficiency. Whenever any issues come in the retrofit, there are spare parts available that can help to rerun the retrofit. Various companies provide spare parts, but the best are Fanuc spare parts and Fanuc CNC parts for CNC machines. The parts of the company are compatible with the machine.  

Retrofitting mainly describes the measures that are necessary for any manufacturing industry. The main advantage of control retrofit is that it lowers the cost of maintenance. It helps to run old machines with new and latest technology. 

Retrofit benefits every industry in one way or the other. Let us hear more about its benefits and help:

How Does it Help?

 

Retrofitting is when you replace the CNC, servo, and spindle systems on machines that are overall in good condition to extend their useful life.

Retrofit usually updates the CNC, the spindle motor and drives, the servo motors and drives, and a portion of the associated wiring and related electromechanical components. Presuming that the machine is in good working condition, a retrofit is the bottom price option used to augment a legacy machine tool's performance. Most of the retrofitting is done at the machine's site, which helps avoid expensive machine rigging and transportation costs while minimizing downtime. It also helps avoid any malfunction due to transportation. 

 

Benefits of Control Retrofit

• Increase Machine and Process Reliability

Many industries still use old methods. However, they have limited communication capabilities. They take time to interact with the processes.

Retrofit is a modernized system. It helps to centralize things by storing division wise data. By doing so, the work becomes easy to manage. Everything remains in one place, and it becomes easy to maintain and handle. You can quickly access all the real-time information remotely. Using remote monitoring in different ways can help you with better security. With modern controllers, you can always keep an eye on your systems and processes.

• Reduce Costs

Control retrofits reduce the cost of buying new machines when old machines stop working. It revitalizes the new updated parts to fit in the old or outdated parts, saving the cost of having new machines.

• Reduce Unplanned Downtime

When machines stopped working in the old times, the time and labor required to repair them increased. With control retrofit, it is not a problem anymore. It has a higher MTBF (the mean time between failures) than other controllers.

As retrofit only needs an engineer to run the source code, the process becomes faster. Besides, modern technology makes it easy to debug and troubleshoot problems.

• Improve Safety  

With modern controllers, retrofit provides all the safety in the safety programming of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). Using them reduces the usage of external hardware like relays to troubleshoot the problems.

The old relays cannot reach everywhere while troubleshooting. The safety relays do not have any portal to view, debug or troubleshoot the device. Moreover, dual-channel safety circuits need to complete connections on each channel within a very small time frame. Without a detailed guide, the chances of fault in the circuit are high. Thus, modern controllers come with detailed troubleshooting guides. 

However, it is advisable to conduct Safety Risk Assessment while upgrading the controls. It ensures that the circuit has achieved the right SIL (Safety Integrity Level) to migrate risks.

• Open Architecture  

Control Retrofits provides all the documented source code to control hardware and software. It uses ISA standards to organize and set up PLC programs for ease of use and diagnostics.

Other Uses of Control Retrofits:

• Saves capital expenditure
• Optimizes components of the existing plants
• Adapts new plants for new or changed products
• Easy availability of spare parts
• Increase reliability
• Environmental engineering for new projects

End Words

Control retrofit helps to update the old machines with new and latest technologies. It benefits the manufacturing industries in various ways. Retrofit is compatible with the machines to help them work efficiently with new technologies. The Fanuc spare parts and Fanuc CNC parts are most compatible to use for retrofitting.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/machine-upkeep-the-retrofit-solution

Laser Cutting Parts: Nozzle Types and Uses

Cincinnati Lasers are fiber laser systems that give high speed cutting on thin materials at low operating costs. This reduces the time and cost for the operators as it makes the cutting process fast and accurate. As it is a machine, there are chances that it will need some repairing after some time. Some companies provide spare parts for such laser machines. One can easily find the Mazak spare parts for these laser machines when required. 

Cincinnati laser has a touch screen display, easy to use buttons, and a full-sized keyboard. This has prima optics that are very much important to focus on the cuttings by lasers. It can easily operate on Windows Operating System, which makes it simple to use for the operator. This has a camera attached that makes it easy to see the process of cutting.

Laser technology has made many changes in the industries. Using this technology helps to easily cut and engrave materials for the best result and quality. Nozzles are for cutting or engraving the materials based on the programs set up for the process.

Advantages of Laser Technology

• Highly Accurate
• Excellence in Cut Quality
• Speed in High Processing
• Very small heat-affected zone compared to others
•  Low application of heat
• Cutting and marking with the same tools
• Cuts many materials
• No contact between material and tool
• High-pressure laser cutting

Principles of Laser Cutting 

• Rear Mirror
• Output Mirror
• Polarizing Mirror
• Telescope Mirror
• Beam Bender
• Cutting Carriage
• Adaptive Mirror
• Focusing Mirror
• Cutting Head
• Cutting Nozzle 

The standard nozzle for the Cincinnati lasers helps in engraving and cutting. There are different sizes of the nozzles according to the requirements of the cuttings and designs.

The nozzle’s correct size is very important for a perfect cutting, e.g., nozzles with large holes are for high-pressure cutting. If the size of the nozzle is a bit large, the cutting gas consumption increases and without affecting the cutting process. If the size of the nozzle is too small, the material cannot part easily. 

Importance of Nozzle Distance

The nozzle distance is very important for the cutting processes and is programmed for height control. The nozzle does not touch the material for cleaner cutting.

The distance between the material and the nozzle affects the quality of the cutting. The smaller distance between the nozzle and material gives a perfect cutting quality. There are some restrictions for better cutting:

1. For safe cutting, the minimum distance is a must.
2. Minimum distance is approximately 0.025 inches.
3. The nozzle distance is small or large for hole piercing, which depends on the thickness of the material.

Sizes of Nozzles

• Short Nozzle with large hole diameter (7mm)

Laser cutting and engraving are done using this size of nozzle and are mainly used for laser acrylic processing. It gives a beautiful flame-polished edge.

• Short Nozzle with small hole diameter (3mm)

The use of this nozzle is mainly for the cutting of those materials that emit excess smoke, like wood. This has a small opening that blows away smoke and cutting gases.

It is not suitable for engraving dust intensive materials like rubber or stamp plastic. Engraving dust settles at the nozzle’s opening, which blocks it, causing burn holes in the lens.

• Long Nozzle with small hole diameter (3mm)

This is suitable for the combination with a 2.5-inch lens, useful for the large focal length between the nozzle and the material.

• Copper Nozzles for laser cutting with compressed air

These copper nozzles are short with a hole diameter of 1.7 mm. As this has an extremely small diameter, the airflow directly targets the kerf, which makes for a clear cut. 

These are suitable for cutting thick materials like wood with 5mm or polycarbonates. This attachment comes in 4 different lengths, depending on the lens’s length and focal distance.

End Words

The spare parts are important for handling such laser machines. Mazak spare parts are very important for Cincinnati lasers, as they provide accurate parts that help maintain the machine. Using standard nozzles helps to cut the materials and engrave them with the right technique. Nozzles do not touch the material while cutting for the best quality. The sizes of nozzles affect the cutting quality.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/laser-cutting-parts-nozzle-types-and-uses