At
Tube 2006, taking place 13-17 April in Düsseldorf, high-tech company
Trumpf will display its latest ‘state of the art’ TruLaser Tube 7000 laser tube cutting machine. With 9kW of laser power, it processes greater wall thicknesses at speed using nitrogen as its cutting gas. For example, with 8mm-thick mild steel, productivity increases by up to 30% and feed rates by up to 150%. This enables companies to increase their throughput and reduce costs per part. This solution also gives users significantly more flexibility in laser tube processing by enabling them to cut greater wall thicknesses.
Trumpf product manager Lucas Stix said: “Flexibility and productivity are paramount in today's laser tube processing. On the one hand, users expect maximum speed and accuracy for components with small diameters. On the other hand, they want to use the same machine to process very large diameters, sometimes also with large wall thicknesses. The TruLaser Tube 7000 combines these opposing requirements, and we have further increased the maximum tube size and possible wall thickness compared to the previous model.”
Thanks to a significantly increased outer circle of 290mm, square tubes measuring 203.2 x 203.2mm, round tubes with a diameter of 273mm, and rectangular tubes with a side length of up to 254mm can all be processed. The machine also cuts small tubes with diameters of 12mm or more extremely quickly and precisely. To evaluate the raw material, Trumpf has expanded the proven ‘ScanLine’ function to include the ‘Quality Pilot’.
If the material is out of shape or of poor quality, ScanLine uses light section sensors to measure the tolerances and compensate deviations. With the new additional ‘Quality Pilot’ function, the machine independently decides whether ScanLine measurements are necessary and how often they should be performed, depending on the raw material quality of each individual tube. This allows users to avoid unnecessary measurement cycles and save time.
The new ‘ObserveLine Comfort’ function also enables users to achieve maximum part quality. After processing, the machine's cutting head moves over the cut contour and uses a weak laser pulse to check whether the scrap has fallen completely out of the tube. Users benefit not only from greater process reliability, but also from reduced manual reworking.
Additional freedomWith the new ‘ObserveLine Edge’ technology, pre-punched tubes and profiles can also be easily further processed. The machine independently uses the laser beam to identify the existing contours in the tube and automatically adapts the part’s program accordingly. This gives companies additional freedom, especially when they want to process purchased semi-finished products.
With the new generation of the TruLaser Tube 7000, users have full access to Trumpf’s digital service world. For example, the digital ‘Condition Monitoring’ service analyses machine data in real time and provides an early warning if components are wearing out or values deviate from their target range. This helps prevent failures before they lead to production stoppages. The ‘LoadMaster Tube’ loading device, which is included as a standard feature, ensures low-labour operation.
The ‘Tilt-and-Lift Station’ enables a fully automatic connection between the machine and a tube storage system and the supplementing of automatic unloading solutions. In combination with the appropriate software solutions and interfaces, companies can seamlessly integrate the TruLaser Tube 7000 into a smart factory.
Trumpf is launching the TruLaser Tube 7000 with various loading and unloading lengths, with a maximum of 12.5m. The machine is tailored for companies that want to remain flexible, produce both small and large quantities profitably, and, at the same time, respond to changing requirements. The target sectors include machine building and systems engineering, facade and building construction, vehicle construction, and the agricultural and construction machinery industries.