Coil laser cutting machine: working principles and applications

Discover on this page:

• Produtech's coil laser cutting machine line ISEO
  • Coil laser cutting machine ISEO A1
  • Coil laser cutting machine ISEO A2
  • EffiCOIL, the all-in-one- coil fed machine
  • Coil-fed laser VS sheet laser
• How does laser cutting work?
  • Coil laser cutting applications
• Coil-fed technology: all the advantages
• How to perform maintenance over a coil-fed laser cutting system
• Produtech: best manufacturer and supplier in the US market.

Coil laser cutting is a process that allows you to cut directly from coils and not from metal sheets, saving on costs, time and wear, and making the production much faster and completely automated. 

In particular, it has the following advantages:

• The laser technology allows to cut faster, increasing productivity;
• It requires little maintenance;
• The supply of the metal material is continuous and automatic, without any operator who periodically loads the machine with metal sheets.

This process can be applied in different industries, such as automotive and medical sectors. The use of a CO2 laser makes cutting on sheet metal even more precise, without slag production and with an extremely high level of detail. 

For this reason, Produtech is specialized in the designing and manufacturing of coil laser cutting machines, that cut metal straight from coil, instead of metal sheets. Our machinery is compact, automatic, flexible, and that guarantees a high productivity rate.

Produtech coil laser cutting machine production lines

Produtech’s coil fed laser cutting machine is called ISEO and two features differentiate it from the rest of the market:It’s specifically designed to cut metal sheets straight from the coil. A coil-fed laser cutting machine is much more efficient than a regular sheet-fed machine and can provide many advantages.

It’s available in two different series:

• ISEO A1, the standard series of this model which provides extremely precise cuts, even on small parts;
• ISEO A2, the best solution for users looking for accuracy while producing parts and high production speed, which is made possible by an additional Xa axis.

The coil laser cutter ISEO is operated by an optic fiber laser which, compared to the obsolete CO₂ laser, guarantees a few advantages: it’s easier to operate and control; it’s much less energy consuming; it needs very little maintenance; it better triggers the cutting activity and runs faster.

The optic fiber technology allows to cut on energy consumption and maintenance costs.

This coil laser cutting machine enhances coil sheet processing by cutting faster than punching machines and with a remarkable productive autonomy, thanks to continuous feeding, reduced maintenance needs and optimized unloading of the cut workparts.

Coil laser cutting machine ISEO A1

ISEO A1 is the standard version of Produtech’s coil laser cutter series.

Differently from Produtech’s punching machines, the work area of this coil laser cutting machine is completely closed, according to safety regulations. While on the other hand, the production system works very similarly: the coil sheet advances and its motion is interpolated with the transversal motion of the laser’s axis. Cutting is carried out inside bands with variable length (in general, 500 mm bands): each time, all the necessary cuts are made inside the band, without restart issues, even in case of very long parts.

The fiber-laser source power of this coil laser cutting machine ranges from 0.5 up to 4 kW and it provides extremely precise and well-refined cuts, even on small parts.

Coil laser cutting machine ISEO A2

The coil fed laser cutter ISEO A2 is the best solution for users who are looking for extreme accuracy, without having to compromise on speed in production rate. This is made possible thanks to the additional Xa axis, which differentiates the two series, A1 and A2.

Latest generation coil-fed laser cutting machine

Produtech punch laser cutting coil-fed EFFICOIL is the ultimate machine for laser cutting. It combines two different technologies: punching and laser. EFFICOIL has two working heads, perfectly synchronized, which operate concurrently but are completely independent. The electric punching unit works on outlines and deformations, while the optic-fiber laser-cutting unit works on internal and external profiles, with obvious benefits:

• Precision: EFFICOIL allows to manufacture details with the highest precision;
• Speed and productivity: the action of punching and laser cutting at the same time allows reduced processing time and, working independently on two different portions of the same coil, increase productivity;
• Energy and CO2 savings during coil sheet processing: EFFICOIL does not require accessory machines. Plus, EFFICOIL produce very little CO2 and vapors created by lubricant liquids;
• Raw material savings: thanks to coil feeding and nesting programs, the arrangement of the parts to be produced can be optimized by using a wider initial surface (long coils instead of pre-cut single sheets);
• Reduction in workspace occupancy: EFFICOIL occupies less space inside the production site; also, using coils instead of single sheets on pallets further reduces the occupied space;
• Reduction in manpower for loading raw materials: no need to move products away from different machines, collect scraps and place the final products on pallets.

Coil-fed laser vs sheet laser 

At this point, we have a complete overview of the advantages of a coil cutting machine compared with a sheet laser machine, which can be summarized as follows:

• Producing metal blanks using coil-fed laser cutting technology allows for greater material optimization, that will save you money;
• Reduction of productivity time;
• Reduction in manpower need;
• Higher precision of cut.

How does laser cutting work?

What is the process for laser cutting? First, let’s see what a laser for industrial applications is. The laser beam is a column of high intensity light of a single wavelength or color. In the case of an optical laser, the one used by Produtech, that wavelength is in the Infra-Red part of the light spectrum. 

The beam is only 3/4 inch in diameter. It is created by the laser resonator and travels through the machine's beam path. Before it reaches the plate to be cut, it can be refracted in different directions by a series of mirrors, or beam benders. The laser beam is combined with a compressed gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, depending on the material being processed. After that, the laser beam is focused by a special lens or curved mirror and pointed to be centered in the machine nozzle. By focusing the laser beam at a single point, the heat density is extreme.

The high power results in rapid heating, melting and partial or complete vaporization of the material, cutting it.

Laser cutting is a precise and efficient method for cutting materials such as metals. The process steps are the following:

1. A computer-controlled mechanism directs the laser beam according to the specifications of the cutting design. 
2. The material is moved beneath the laser beam, which allows for precise cuts with a high level of accuracy. 
3. The speed of the cutting process depends on various factors such as the material thickness and the laser power, but it is typically faster than traditional cutting methods such as mechanical saws or chemical etching.

Laser cutting parameters

The parameters to be set for the laser depend on the features of the machine, the required cutting speed, the material to be cut, and the desired cutting edge.

The laser cutting process and cutting quality depend on the correct selection of laser and workpiece parameters. Deficiencies in cutting quality can be related to the slowness of the process and disturbances caused by fluctuations in speed, variation in power and spatial distribution of intensity, and optical integrity. That's why it is important to rely on a partner like Produtech: we provide you with the necessary know-how in laser cutting technology.

Coil laser cutting applications

Coil fed laser cutting offers several advantages over other cutting methods. High accuracy, precision, low lead times, less waste, lower power consumption, cutting versatility, the ability to handle complex jobs, and the lack of damage to thick materials make laser cutting far superior. 

It is used mainly in the following industries:

• Automotive industry
• Die, mold, and tool industries
• Jewel industry
• Medical devices manufacturing
• Ceramic and silicon manufacturing.

Coil-fed laser technology: all the advantages

Ever since 1993, Produtech has been able to perceive the market’s needs and develop an excellent know-how in manufacturing with coil laser technology. In addition to the long experience in the industry, there are many more advantages resulting from choosing Produtech’s coil fed laser cutters. 

Thanks to the use of optic-fiber lasers, in fact, Produtech latest-generation coil-fed laser machines can guarantee precise and powerful work for every need. In addition, the machines require very little maintenance and consequently let you save time and cut costs. Last, when it comes to very thin metal parts, the fiber laser sparks the cut in a better way and works faster. 

Summarizing, the main advantages of fiber laser compared to the CO2 laser, are:

• The laser allows to cut faster, with greater productive autonomy and higher productivity;
• The fiber laser requires very little maintenance;
• The supply of metal material is continuous and automatic, without any operators who periodically load the machine with metal sheets;
• The processes for uploading raw materials and unloading cut parts are optimized and easier;
• In addition to coil laser cutting, Produtech implemented its sheet metal laser cutting machines leveraging optic-fiber laser sources. 

Optic-fiber laser is easy to handle, precise and powerful; it requires very little maintenance and so it guarantees significant cost and energy savings. Last, when it comes to very thin metal parts, the fiber laser sparks the cut in a better way and works faster.

How to perform maintenance over a coil-fed laser cutting system

As every advanced piece of technology, in order for a coil-fed laser cutting system to ensure impeccable performance and reduce downtime, maintenance is key. Regular and proper cleaning of Produtech’s latest solutions is an integral part of a routine that contributes to preserving the efficiency, the durability, and the accuracy of these machines. 

Aconsistent maintenance plan including laser head and optics cleaning prevents buildup, leading to a decrease in cutting precision. Additionally, controlling the internal cooling system of the equipment can help protect this technology from overheating, an event which can cause potential damage to the whole coil-fed laser cutting system.

Another important operation that should be performed regularly is lubrication. In fact, this simple process can preserve mechanical parts from wear and tear. Inspections on a monthly basis reduce the risk of laser misalignment and downtime. Also, it is instrumental to maintain the working area clean and free from debris.

By following these simple best practices, you can prolong the life of your coil-fed laser cutting system, guaranteeing high-quality standards while minimizing troubleshooting. Ultimately, with the help of these solutions, it is possible to implement seamless and faster production cycles for a more efficient manufacturing process.

Produtech: among the best manufacturer and supplier in the US market

Produtech is one of the best manufacturers and suppliers in the US market. Thanks to its latest laser coil technologies, our company is able to provide fast and precise fed coil laser cutting machines that require very little maintenance and consequently let you save time and cut costs. 

We are capable of working with companies located in every part of the United States, meeting the needs of each client thanks to a dedicated team that follows the project from pre-sales to post-sales maintenance.