Designed specifically as an entry-level flat-bed laser system, the HD-FO fibre laser manufactured by Turkey-based Durma is a compact, competitively priced and easily transportable machine designed specifically to accommodate sheet up to a maximum size of 3 x 1.5m. The maximum sheet weight is 575kg.

Available in the UK from Milton Keynes-based Axe & Status Machinery Ltd (www.axestatus.com), the HD-FO can be specified with a Durma fibre laser power source of 1 or 2kW (the focus length is 125mm, and focusing is automatic); moreover, the machine offers the easy loading and unloading of sheet via a quick-opening front door — without the need for a shuttle table.

Cutting capacities for the 1kW laser are: 8mm for mild steel; 4mm for stainless steel, aluminium and brass; and 2mm for copper.

The corresponding capacities for the 2kW laser are 12mm, 6mm and 3mm respectively. Axis strokes are 3,080, 1,530 and 125mm for the X, Y and Z axes respectively, with maximum axis speeds of 90m/min in X and Y (30m/min in Z) for a maximum synchronous speed of 127m/min and a synchronous acceleration of 14m/sec².

The positional accuracy and repeatability are ±0.05mm. Control is via a Siemens Sinumerik 840D SL system with a 19in touch panel, a Durma operator interface and a complete cutting database for all standard cutting applications; this includes the cutting parameters for most frequently profiled materials and common thickness ranges, although operators can fine-tune the parameters to optimise the cutting quality for certain materials.