Coherent introduces METABEAM 1000 laser machining tool for sheet metal

Coherent Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., has introduced the METABEAM 1000, a turnkey, laser-based machining tool that enables cost effective cutting of sheet metal including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, and brass.

The METABEAM 1000 uses a 1000W CO2 laser, Coherent’s Diamond E-1000, which is the world’s only sealed-off kilowatt CO2 laser that has a peak power greater than 2500W, an M2 less than 1.2, and is maintenance-free for the entire lifetime. The METABEAM tool offers substantially lower acquisition and operational costs when compared to legacy systems based on fast flow CO2 lasers. The long wavelength infrared CO2 laser output and added power enables the system to cut a wide range of metals as well as organic materials such as wood and plastic.

The METABEAM 1000 is available with either a 50 inch x 50 inch (1.27 m x 1.27 m) or 50 inch x 100 inch (1.27 m x 2.54 m) cutting table, and offers a cutting accuracy of ±0.001 inch (25 ?m) over its entire range. The system is a full feature machine tool that includes a capacitive height sensor to maintain constant spacing between the cutting nozzle and metal surface, and comes standard with auto focus to deliver consistent clean cuts. Additionally, the system has two independent, high pressure gas supplies to rapidly switch between assist gasses, thus enabling cutting of a variety of materials with minimal setup time. Various automation enhancement tools, such as pallet shuttles, are available to facilitate integration into a production environment and increase productivity.

The METABEAM 1000 offers cost effective processing of a wide range of metals and other materials for job shops, metal service centers and sheet metal fabrication shops. Its ease of use and automation capabilities also make it attractive for in-house sheet metal cutting for manufacturers in a broad range of industries including white goods (appliances), automobiles, aerospace and contract manufacturing.