Mazak Optonics hosts 300 fabricators

An Optiplex 3015 Fiber laser with Zeta 9 technology was demonstrated with an automated load/unload system.

Mazak Optonics Corp. welcomed over 300 guests during its two-day Laser Technology Days event in March. Nine laser cutting machines were displayed at the Elgin, Ill., center, along with various automation systems. The Optiplex 3015, a 4-kW Fiber laser with new Zeta 9 technology, was demonstrated with an automated load/unload system.

The Zeta 9 technology, using the new Mazak PreView 3 CNC touchscreen control, is a series of six intelligent setup functions and three intelligent monitoring functions designed to reduce operator dependency and improve throughput and cut quality. Many of these functions have been available on CO2 laser cutting machines, but their availability for fiber laser processing is new.

Setup functions include auto nozzle changing, auto focus positioning, focus detection to automatically calibrate reference positions, auto profiler calibration stabilize the distance between material and the nozzle while cutting, auto nozzle cleaning, and beam diameter control to cut a range of materials by changing the shape of the laser beam. Monitoring functions include pierce detection to minimize pierce times, plasma detection to monitor and stabilize stainless steel cutting, and burn detection to notify the operator of poor cutting conditions for mild steel.

Visitors also viewed demonstrations of an Optiplex Nexus CO2 laser, and a 3D Fabri Gear 220 II laser for tube and structural applications paired with load/unload automation.

Seminars covered technology-focused topics including automated machine functions and material automation systems.

Several partners were available to offer attendees information and demonstrations on items from software to press brakes.

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