CNC program for Trumpf 3030 fibre laser
CNC programming laser cut parts
CNC programming a laser cutting machine is so easy compared with programming a CNC punch press. Having only one tool, the laser beam itself, there are no tools to be concerned with. No tool angles, die clearances, side loadings, nibbling issues with multi-tools etc. There is also no clamp zone to work around allowing the software / programmer to use the whole sheet to find the most economical use of the material. You can see this in the picture here taken from a recent prototype set of parts that the individual parts can be fitted together and right across the sheet to get the best fit. The way a program cuts the sheet metal parts is also different. With a CNC punch press we will select a tool and punch all these holes across multiple parts with that tool and then put it back on the tool rail. We then select a second tool and repeat the process until all tools have been used and the component is complete. If there is a problem with the CNC punch press program it is not seen until the hole sheet is complete. With laser cutting because there is only one tool the laser beam itself we can cut one component completely and take it out of the sheet to check it before going one to make changes or complete the batch.
With Radan taking care of most of the basic laser programming with a simple click of the mouse we can concentrate on getting the part development right for you and cutting parts ready for manufacturing. We will be posting far more images of laser cutting and examples of finished components of our gallery pages so keep an eye out over the next few weeks.