A tube inside a tube. That might be your initial reaction when you
first see the new TruLaser Tube 7000 in action. This laser cutting
system processes tubes inside a tunnel-like safety enclosure and then
– depending on the size – either moves it forward to the
brush table or ejects it to a parts container behind the machine. With
this high-end modern designed machine, TRUMPF offers a laser cutting
system featuring heavy-duty drives engineered for heavy tubes, a broad
chucking range and a high degree of flexibility.
This new machine can cut tubes and profiles with large diameters and
wall thicknesses without sacrificing productivity. The system’s
clamping range of from 15 to 200 millimeters opens up new application
possibilities. Permissible workpiece weight in the six-meter format has
risen to 150 kilograms, and with optional features it is even possible
to process tubes up to 250 millimeters in diameter, weighing as much as
225 kilograms. The new tube cutting system can be equipped with up to
3.6 kilowatts of laser output power, making it suitable for a wide
variety of applications. Maximum profile wall thickness is eight
millimeters.
Superb performance thanks to automation
When compared with conventional processes like sawing, drilling or
milling, selecting a TruLaser Tube 7000 machine can result in a
significant boost in productivity. One example of productivity
enhancement is the short set-up time when changing programs. Nearly all
the adjustments depend on profile specifics. Values that have to be
entered at the machine and loading unit can be easily administered with
the parts program. The self-centering chucking jaws do not need to be
exchanged. And, the stepped rollers that provide support and lateral
guidance for the tubing automatically adjust to the diameter. Even the
large, integrated scrap container in the feed station is emptied
without operator intervention.
The FocusLine function automatically adapts the laser beam focal
position to suit the nature and thickness of the material. The
machine’s software independently adjusts to the focus parameters
given in the technology table, eliminating any set-up effort. Also new
is the extremely slender cutting head with a 155 millimeter lens and
safety solenoid clutch, designed for flexibility.
When combined with the LoadMaster Tube, featuring a tube magazine that
can hold up to 4 tons of raw material, the TruLaser Tube 7000 can be
fully automated. Its swiveling feed support holds a number of tubes and
keeps them at constant orientation. The loading unit employs a
feasibility test to compare the tube geometry with the parts program.
Special profiles and small batches can be fed by a conveyor section
that is swung into position. The LoadMaster Tube measures the length of
the pipe and adjusts the position of the grippers accordingly.
User-friendly features
In order to create ergonomically correct working conditions, the new
machine has a swivel control panel that is mounted on the machine and
can be shifted along the X axis to whatever position the operator
desires. Another convenient feature is the interactive control concept
which uses a touch screen to show machine status in graphic form and
gives the operator a quick and comprehensive view of the situation.
The TruLaser Tube 7000 works with a new version of the TruTops Tube
software to make sophisticated machining strategies available. This
software is built around a database that contains all of the technical
knowledge that TRUMPF has developed, accumulated and continuously
refined over the years. With this new software, complex tube designs
can be fabricated more easily, precisely and reliably. It is now
possible, for example, to position one 3-D tube on another instead of
designing and programming individual tubes. This saves time since
parameters such as length, width, height, wall thickness and spacing
between cut-outs can readily be modified to generate any number of
variations.
