Mitsubishi Electric launches 3D CO2 laser processing system “CV Series” for cutting CFRP

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On October 18, Mitsubishi will launch two new models of 3D CO2 laser processing systems for cutting carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) used in automobiles.
Tokyo, October 14, 2021-Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Tokyo stock code: 6503) today announced that it will launch two new CV series models of 3D CO2 laser processing systems on October 18 for cutting carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), they are lightweight and high-strength materials used in automobiles. The new model is equipped with a CO2 laser oscillator, which integrates the oscillator and amplifier into the same housing—according to the company’s research as of October 14, 2021, this is the world’s first—and together with the unique processing head of the CV series to help achieve High-speed precision machining. This will make mass production of CFRP products possible, which has been impossible to achieve with previous processing methods so far.
In recent years, the automotive industry has increasingly called for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, improving fuel efficiency, and using lighter materials to achieve greater mileage. This has driven the growing demand for CFRP, which is a relatively new material. On the other hand, CFRP processing using existing technology has problems such as high operating costs, low productivity, and waste disposal issues. A new approach is needed.
Mitsubishi Electric’s CV series will overcome these challenges by achieving high productivity and processing quality far superior to existing processing methods, helping to promote mass production of CFRP products at a level that has not been possible until now. In addition, the new series will help reduce the burden on the environment by reducing waste, etc., thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
The new model will be exhibited at MECT 2021 (Mechatronics Technology Japan 2021) at Port Messe Nagoya, Nagoya International Exhibition Hall from October 20th to 23rd.
For laser cutting of CFRP, a material made of carbon fiber and resin, fiber lasers, which are widely used for cutting sheet metal, are not suitable because the resin has a very low beam absorption rate, so it is necessary to melt the carbon fiber by heat conduction. In addition, although the CO2 laser has a high laser energy absorption rate for carbon fiber and resin, the traditional sheet metal cutting CO2 laser does not have a steep pulse waveform. Due to the high heat input into the resin, it is not suitable for cutting CFRP.
Mitsubishi Electric has developed a CO2 laser oscillator for cutting CFRP by achieving steep pulse waveforms and high output power. This integrated MOPA1 system 3-axis quadrature 2 CO2 laser oscillator can integrate the oscillator and the amplifier into the same housing; it converts the low-power oscillating beam into a steep pulse waveform suitable for cutting CFRP, and then the beam is again Put it into the discharge space and amplify the output. Then a laser beam suitable for CFRP processing can be emitted through a simple configuration (patent pending).
Combining the steep pulse waveform and the high beam power required for CFRP cutting enables an excellent, class-leading processing speed, which is approximately 6 times faster than existing processing methods (such as cutting and waterjet)3, thereby helping to increase productivity .
The single-pass processing head developed for CFRP cutting enables this new series to be cut with a single laser scan just like sheet metal laser cutting. Therefore, higher productivity can be achieved compared with multi-pass processing in which the laser beam is scanned multiple times on the same path.
The side air nozzle on the processing head can remove the hot material vapor and dust generated during the cutting process until the end of cutting the material, while still controlling the thermal effect on the material, achieving excellent processing quality that cannot be achieved using previous processing methods (patent pending ). In addition, because laser processing is non-contact, there are few consumables and no waste (such as waste liquid) is generated, which helps to reduce operating costs. This processing technology contributes to the realization of a sustainable society and the realization of the applicable United Nations sustainable development goals.
Mitsubishi Electric deploys the Internet of Things remote service “iQ Care Remote4U”4 to check the operating status of the laser processing machine in real time. The remote service also helps improve production processes and reduce operating costs by using the Internet of Things to collect and analyze processing performance, set-up time, and electricity and natural gas consumption.
In addition, the customer’s laser processing machine can be diagnosed remotely directly from the terminal installed at the Mitsubishi Electric Service Center. Even if the processing machine fails, the remote operation can ensure timely response. It also provides preventive maintenance information, software version updates, and handling of changes in conditions.
Through the collection and accumulation of various data, it supports the service of remote maintenance of machine tools.
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