laser cut monitoring

[jra77]

My company has a Mazak MkII laser that we experienced a problem with when cutting SS. The cut was "lost" in the middle of a large nest and the result was a reflection that took out the optics back to the output coupler. We have since refrained from cutting SS unattended, but would really like to utilize these labor-free hours to get some extra parts out. Does anyone know of any monitoring retrofits that would communicate with the controller when a program is still running, but the laser is no longer piercing through the work piece?

 

[msandoval]

You may want to look at Precitec. They build cutting heads for numerous OEMs and they also offer the monitoring device you are in great need of. You may want to take a look at Haas Laser Technologies as well.

It's a shame the Japanese Laser Manufacturers do not offer this as a standard feature on their machines as this can be the difference in getting production done during unattended operation.

Good Luck in your search

 

[laserman16]

Well i got an interesting one for you to try. I'd try it during regular hours first. Try going and getting peptobismal and applying a thin coating to the material before running the job.

I know this sounds completly out there...lol..but it makes perfect sense really. Peptobismal acts to coat one stomach when it is upset. It does the same thing for the s/s by reducing it's glare during processing.

I spoke with a number of technicians and they advised that a number of there customers use this method. It is cheap, cleans off afterwards and does the trick.