Luton-based Trumpf Ltd (www.trumpf.com) has introduced a new laser cutting machine — the TruLaser 2030 fiber — that has been designed to provide intuitive operation, along with low investment and operating costs, making it particularly suitable for businesses starting out in laser cutting.

Offering up to 4kW of laser power, the TruLaser 2030 fiber is also capable of automatic operation.

The machine — including pallet changer — has a footprint of just 7.8 x 5.9m, and components such as the control cabinet, suction system and laser are built into the machine frame.

The 3 x 1.5m working area is easily accessible along the length of the machine, while large windows and LED illumination provide optimum viewing.

With regard to ease of operation, if the operator of the TruLaser 2030 fiber wants to assign a job, the relevant questions for setting up and programming the machine appear on the control’s user interface, guiding the user through the various steps until the program starts.

Trumpf cutting parameters for all materials and sheet thicknesses are stored on the machine prior to delivery; together with the machine’s intuitive operation, this significantly reduces the amount of training required.

Moreover, cutting programs can be easily transferred to the TruLaser 2030 fiber via a network or USB drive.

The TruLaser 2030 fiber is available with 2, 3 and 4kW of laser power, and it is particularly fast when cutting material up to 12mm thick.

It can also cut highly reflective materials such as copper (even using nitrogen), and all materials and sheet thicknesses can be processed with the same cutting unit.

Along with other parameters, the focal position of the laser adjusts automatically to suit the material being processed.

There is an automatic nozzle changer with space for eight nozzles, to reduce set-up times even further — and the cutting head features a collision protection system.

The various levels of automation available include a pallet for manual loading and unloading, a pallet changer or a LiftMaster Shuttle, which makes it possible to load and unload the machine automatically.

Trumpf says the various power options and material-flow solutions “permit different application scenarios”.

Equipped with 2kW of laser power and a manual pallet, the TruLaser 2030 fiber “works cost-effectively even at lower utilisation rates.

The combination of 3kW of laser power and a pallet changer increases application flexibility and productivity; and thanks to the increased laser power, it is possible to process thicker sheets.

Using the pallet changer, material changes take only 45sec.

Meanwhile, the TruLaser 2030 fiber with 4kW of laser power, automatic nozzle changer and LiftMaster Shuttle can under-take continuous operation.”

Trumpf says these machines can also be operated in a laser network, which increases the capacity utilisation of the laser and reduces the investment costs.

The TruDisk laser offers the option of an additional output, thereby allowing it to supply a further machine or welding cell as well as the TruLaser 2030 fiber.

“This reduces procurement costs for the second laser and facilitates the entry into new technologies such as laser welding or laser tube cutting,” says Trumpf.