One Machine For Punching And Laser Cutting

Capable of performing both punching and laser cutting operations, Amada America’s EML K3510 is designed for high production of short-run sheet metal parts that have many holes or require forming. Able to handle full-size 4’ × 8’ or 5’ × 10’ sheets without repositioning, the punch-laser has high fabricating speeds, short setup times, and virtually unlimited shape-cutting capabilities, the company says. The press is capable of 400 hits per minute on 1" centers, while the laser provides RF-excited, fast axial flow 4,000 W continuous wave with enhanced 5,000 W pulse. The machine’s punch features enhanced positioning precision, which improves users’ ability to program dwell at the bottom of the forming stroke, the company says. This can aid in the precision forming of embosses, dimples, tabs and other such features, as well as in tapping and hardware-insertion operations. Rather than using a hydraulics system, the press incorporates twin direct-drive motors to control the punch action of the ram and the movement of the striker. This eliminates the need for items such as the hydraulic unit reservoir, hydraulic chiller unit and hydraulic lines and pumps. In addition, the machine uses a “hybrid” laser-motion system rather than a “fixed-beam” system. With this system, the cutting head moves only in the Y direction and the material moves only in the X direction, eliminating unnecessary movement of the sheet and resulting in faster processing speeds. Other features include three low-profile clamps for reduced dead zones, a 17" × 50" trapdoor for automatic parts removal and a range of load/unload options.