Arnold Group, a supplier of thermal glass processing machines for the laboratory- and special glass industry, will be presenting its new line of compact production centres for the joining, forming and cutting of glass tubes with laser beams at glasstec, focussing on the new precision glass working lathe for the laser joining and cutting of glass tubes: P1040 Laser.
During glasstec 2012, the Arnold Group, based in Weilburg, Germany will be presenting its new line of compact production centres for the joining, forming and cutting of glass tubes with laser beams. Prospective customers will find the new machines of the Arnold Group and sophisticated product portfolio for the quartz glass-, laboratory glass industry and solar thermal systems, in Hall 15, Stand E16.
The supplier of thermal glass processing machines for the laboratory- and special glass industry is now offering a true innovative alternative to traditional heating with gas burners with these new production centres for laser glass processing. Processing with lasers reduce process times and ensure extraordinary high reproducibility of the heating process. Thanks to high production quality and excellent ability for automation, laser processes do not only have advantageous influence on production but also reduce costs significantly.
Main focus of the exhibition of the Arnold Group is the presentation of the new precision glass working lathe for the laser joining and cutting of glass tubes: P1040 Laser. This machine is specifically suited for laser applications in the laboratory and lamp glass industry. The machine can process glass tubes up to 40mm diameter and length of 750mm at spindle revolution of up to 600 rpm. The laser system can be operated for more than 16,000 hours without gas exchange at rated effective output of 400 W (optional 800 W). With the process data calculated, an enormous increase in productivity of up to 75% can be achieved.
For items with dimensions up to 160mm diameter and lengths of 1,100mm at spindle revolution of up to 500 rpm, Arnold Group offers the new laser centre NC56/28.17. Other dimensions or custom-specific requirements can be considered. Depending on specific process requirements, laser capacity will range between 1,000 and 4,000 W. This machine is designed for larger, tubular-shaped glass parts such as those typically used in the solar industry or in chemical apparatus construction.
Both centres can be operated either manually or fully automatically, for instance by an industrial robot system with an automatic loading or unloading system. Production tolerances caused by pre-production process of parts, are recognized and compensated by an intelligent sensor technology and process control system developed by the Arnold Group.
For further cost-effectiveness, multiple machine operations can be achieved with only one laser system. Here the laser beam is switched and guided automatically to the respective centre in process.
The concept of the new laser centres of the Arnold Group is based on the wide variety of standardized glass processing machines. Modifications are realized as per customers’ requests and application specific requirements such as cutting, joining or forming of glass parts.