TPT November 2007

C utting, S awing & P rofiling T echnology

Laser equipped machines for cutting tubes and 3D shapes

An increasing number of manufacturers are taking advantage of laser-equipped machines for cutting tubes and 3D-shapes. Sheet laser cutting is still the most popular application: the more complex the contours, the higher the gain in time and the more economical compared to conventional methods like sawing and punching. The clean edges without burrs, the silent machining process and no tooling costs are extra advantages that also apply for cutting tubes and 3D-shapes. Laser welding and cladding are less known but have equally interesting advantages.

Balliu and manufactures laser cutting machines, laser welding machines and laser cladding machines for a wide range of applications. These machines are both highly automated and robust. First of all, designs

› This SLF 110 has an auto loader for tubes up to 13m. The unloader can handle and unload parts up to 5m

a high volume tube-cutting machine using a CO2 laser with a robot unloader for the automotive industry. In another example, the company supplied a diode-laser cladding machine for cladding long tubes for the oil industry. Other projects include use of YAG or fibre lasers. Part of a European holding of machine manufacturing companies, Balliu installs over 90 per cent of its machines outside Belgium, covering the five continents. The design, manufacturing and commissioning of the laser machines is undertaken in Lokeren. Balliu Machine Tool Corp nv – Belgium

the company can analyse a specified production process to see if its standard LD and SLF sheet and tube laser machines can be integrated into the production flow. In some cases, adaptations are

fi This Megacut 5A system is a 5-axis laser cutting/welding machine. The right pallet changer on the picture is used for sheet material, the left table is used for 3D-applications

necessary: they go from the integration of automatic feeding- and unloading systems to additional NC-axis. Balliu can also develop custom made projects. In one particular case study, Balliu provided

Fax : +32 9 340 6630 Email : info@balliu.be Website : www.balliu.be

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N ovember /D ecember 2007