A new flat-bed laser cutting machine has been introduced by the Swiss manufacturer Bystronic, which has a UK subsidiary in Coventry (www.bystronic.com).

Aimed at sheet metal-processing companies wishing to exploit the high productivity of fibre technology and its broad range of applications, the competitively priced BySmart Fiber can be supplied with a laser source of 2, 3, 4, or 6kW, while optional automated material-handling solutions allow the full potential of the machine to be achieved.

The new machine platform offers the same rapid high-quality cutting as the Swiss manu-facturer’s fibre laser equipment, with the 6kW source enabling users to achieve the maximum increase in cutting speed — by up to 70% compared to a 4kW fibre laser when cutting 3mm-thick stainless steel.

The advantage is even more pronounced in comparison to a 6kW CO² laser; productivity is trebled.

Fibre lasers can process a wide range of materials — from steel and stainless steel to aluminium, copper and brass — with operating costs and maintenance requirements that are relatively low.

Moreover, Bystronic offers its Power Cut Fiber function to extend the range of applications to thicker sheet, delivering high-quality cuts in material up to 30mm thick.

Bystronic says the fibre laser’s output must be optimally integrated into the cutting process; to achieve this, the company equips the BySmart Fiber with the latest-generation cutting head, which can be adapted to maximise quality when profiling different metals (users choose between two focal points of the laser beam, depending on sheet thickness and material type).

In addition, Bystronic equips the 6kW version of the BySmart Fiber with its Cut Control function, which monitors the entire process. If — for example — a tear occurs, laser cutting is automatically stopped, reducing the risk of mis-cuts and rejected parts.

BySmart machines feature a 22in touch-screen with the ByVision Cutting user interface; this allows access to an extensive database that includes the optimum cutting parameters for all common types of sheet metal.

Furthermore, Bystronic’s extensive loading and unloading solutions and third-party automation equipment can be integrated.

Depending on the order situation, the system organises material flow automatically or semi-automatically, while also offering the flexibility for small orders to be processed manually.