Mazak Optonics releases servo-focus laser cutting head that reduces pierce time

Mazak Optonics, Elgin, Illinois, has released a new servo head with piercing detection that monitors laser processing conditions and reduces piercing times, while improving cutting performance across a wide range of applications. The new servo head is provided as standard equipment on Mazak HyperGear, HyperTurbo, and SuperTurbo MkIII series laser-cutting machines.

The new Mazak servo technology improves pierce time efficiency, especially in mild steel applications between 0.375 and 0.750 inch. It eliminates or greatly reduces the need for side blow during piercing operations. Sensors in the head monitor beam reflection to determine breakthrough, and then automatically signal the control to move to the cutting segment of the program.

The machine quickly shifts from the pierce process to the start of cutting due to the auto-focus adjustment, which is done on the dedicated W-axis. A typical nest cut time can be reduced by 30% by utilizing the new servo head and sensor technology.

The same intelligent sensors monitor the beam for poor cut conditions and to maintain the cut. The servo head also improves overall edge quality when cutting mild steel plate of up to 1 inch.