Cincinnati's CL-900 series fiber laser system boosts cutting speed on sheet metal

Cincinnati Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, is expanding its laser cutting product line with introduction of the CL-900 series fiber laser cutting systems. The CL-900 series combines the low operating cost of fiber laser technology with the company's high-performance 12,000 ipm linear-motor axis drives to create a productive, economical, and easy-to-use laser cutting system available for sheet metal processing.

The CL-900 series cuts mild steel two to three times faster than conventional lasers, while reducing operating costs by up to 40 percent. The solid state fiber laser cuts maintenance costs associated with conventional CO2 lasers by eliminating laser gas, internal optics, glassware, blowers and vacuum pumps. Also, fiber lasers deliver the beam via a flexible glass fiber, thereby eliminating the external mirrors, bellows and beam purge gas needed with CO2 lasers.

Fiber laser systems deliver power efficiency greater than 30 percent, roughly five times higher than CO2 systems. According to Cincinnati Inc., fiber lasers concentrate more energy into the cutting spot, allowing more agile, higher-quality cutting at higher efficiencies, and making fiber lasers ideal for high-volume cutting of intricate shapes and part designs.

CL-900 series laser cutting systems are available with bed sizes of 5 ft. x 10 ft. and 6 ft. x 12 ft. The PC-based HMI control comes standard with Cincinnati 's Programming and Nesting Software to optimize machine performance and is available with a web cam for easy monitoring of the cutting process.