Two German companies have joined forces to develop the use of laser-cutting technology for plastics processors.
Laser specialist Jenoptik AG of Jena, Germany, is cooperating with Frimo Viersen GmbH, part of the Lotte, Germany-based Frimo Group, which supplies the plastics converting industry with punching and flexible trimming equipment. The parent company is a leading maker of plastics tooling and production machinery.
Jenoptik technology features a series of technical advantages, such as integrated beam guidance through all robot axes.
Laser cutting is becoming increasingly important because it is a noncontact process, characterized by particularly high speed and precision. As a relatively new technique for flexible cutting, laser processing still holds great development potential, according to Jenoptik and Frimo Viersen of Viersen.
Complete integration of the laser-beam-guidance system in the robot permits use of the robot's full dynamic range. That has the effect of shortening cycle time while achieving very high repeat precision, even with complex, three-dimensional components.
Applications in the automotive industry form a major market focus for the supply partners.
Frimo Group comprises 18 companies employing 1,300 worldwide. The company offers a full range of plastics technologies for polyurethane processing, along with flexible cutting, punching, pressing and forming, and thermoforming and laminating processes.