Andy Thomas: Laser cut

Posted on August 9, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

While perhaps not considered as a key investment in the past, laser die-cutting is now starting to become of greater interest for the potential benefits and opportunities it can offer to both converters and their customers. There are also more laser cutting equipment companies entering the market, so widening the choice of investment and equipment.

Laser die cutting will certainly not obsolete conventional die cutting, but rather complements it, and surely has a key role to play in the future of short run, on-demand digital label converting.

To aid converters in understanding these latest developments in laser cutting technology and requirements, the opportunities it can offer, how it works and the quality of the finished die-cut results, Labelexpo Americas will be running a series of four different laser die-cutting technology workshops each day of the show – one for prime labels, one for industrial labels, one for blank die-cut computer-over-printable labels, and one for special label solutions.

This is a true industry-wide effort. Four leading laser die-cutting equipment suppliers are participating in these technology workshop sessions: ABG International, Delta International, SEI Spa and Spartanics. Pre-printed labels for cutting at the show – with all the necessary re-registration eye marks and codes – are being produced by Xeikon, EFI Jetrion and mark Andy, with MIS input from CERM and EFI Radius. Origination for the label designs has been undertaken by Esko.  Labels materials are provided by UPM Raflatac, Flexcon and Green Bay Packaging.

Previous visitors to Labelexpo technology workshops will know that these events present a great opportunity to ask questions in an open forum and to see the results of different machinery and software approaches at close quarters.

It will be fascinating to see how far the technology has progressed since I saw my first laser die cut system at Labelexpo over a decade ago.

Andy Thomas Group managing editor Labels & Labeling

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Andy Thomas: Laser cut

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Freehand Laser Cutter Offers Possibility for Subtractive Rapid Prototyping

Posted on August 9, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

The majority of what we cover here at Rapid Ready is based on additive manufacturing (AM) technology, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try to keep an eye on the subtractive field as well. We covered one possible contender in the subtractive field here and today we present another possibility.

The name of the game in prototyping these days is speed. It’s no accident that we include the “rapid” half of rapid prototyping in our name. Working in collaboration with colleagues Stefanie Mueller and Pedro Lopes, Patrick Baudisch from the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, Germany has created a freehand laser cutter technique that can quickly produce prototypes.

The system uses differently colored laser pointers and a camera mounted above the work surface to track cuts. A computer translates what has been captured by the camera and proceeds to instruct a laser cutter on where cuts are to be made. Shapes can be added by use of different colors and different techniques.

Each laser pointer includes a sensor (the colors mainly act as visual reminders for human users) that tracks operations. one laser pointer can be specified to produce circles with a few gestures, while another can add shapes, such as teeth for gears or finger joints. The whole process is as fast as the operator can draw and the laser and the cutter can fabricate.

“The 3D printer takes hours. With the laser cutter I can have an object in seconds — it’s insanely fast,” said Baudisch. “by the time my 3D printer has produced the first object, I have iterated so much [using the laser cutter] that I have developed an entirely different approach to the problem — that has huge implications for the creative process.”

At this point in its development, the system is restricted to cutting plywood, but I doubt that will remain true for long. It really isn’t that big of a jump to move to other materials that are capable of being cut quickly and precisely with a laser cutter. while I’m not sure this is any sort of replacement for most uses of AM in rapid prototyping, it could find a niche in conceptual design or in fields that don’t require complex prototypes.

Below you’ll find a short video of the system at work.

Source: New Scientist

Freehand Laser Cutter Offers Possibility for Subtractive Rapid Prototyping

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FSEA Bronze Leaf Award Winner: Less is More

Posted on August 9, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

Each year the Gold Leaf Awards, sponsored by the Foil & Specialty Effects Association, honor original and technically difficult works in 28 different categories which creatively incorporate foil stamping, embossing, die cutting, or specialty effects. this year LasX took home the Bronze Leaf Award in the Laser Cutting category for the unique Warhol Invitation that uses laser cutting in an innovative, non-conventional way.

The 2011 Gold Leaf Awards were recently announced at the Gold Leaf Awards Banquet during FSEA-IADD Joint Conference in Las Vegas, NV. Design, execution, and level of difficulty were used as criteria to judge hundreds of entries submitted by trade finishers and commercial printers from across the globe. the Contour Creations® digital finishing division of LasX submitted the Warhol Invitation, which demonstrates that you don’t always need printed details to create a stunning design. In this case, less really is more.

Often people perceive laser cutting as simply an alternative to metal die cutting, used for creating shapes or cutting out the perimeter of graphic art pieces such as cards, invitations, and folders. In reality, laser cutting is an extremely versatile finishing method which can be used in a number of creative ways – including, as a replacement for printed text.

Each letter on the Warhol Invitation is comprised of a series of very small laser cut circles. One might think that this text was perforated, however the design is actually laser cut, as opposed to adjusting the laser setting to perforate. This creates a very high degree of precision when processing these extremely small features. Each hole is completely uniform and round. this technique creates a delicate, sophisticated look that cannot be achieved through traditional metal die cutting.

There are lots of ways to utilize this laser cutting method to transform graphic arts pieces. as you can see, using laser cut circles as text can create interesting effects with light. or, add a contrasting colored backing to reveal color through the text to make the design pop. this technique doesn’t have to be reserved for text; try using laser cut circles as a pattern to embellish design features or call attention to graphic elements on cards, invitations, and promotional pieces. these unique effects cannot be achieved using ordinary printing and for this reason, laser cutting is a great option if you’re looking to add interest and depth to a design. this example illustrates a simple way to elevate a plain printed invitation that will be sure to please guests.

The back of the Warhol Invitation is clean and free of processing artifacts and debris. Even on white paper stock, there is no clear evidence of discoloration due to the laser cutting process. Each material reacts slightly different to laser processing and it is important to test material prior to a full production run. however, high quality laser systems, such as the LaserSharp® LPM which processed this invitation, are able to significantly reduce or eliminate discoloration, resulting in a beautiful finished piece from front to back.

Have you seen an innovative use of intricate laser cut circles? How do you plan to incorporate this technique into your next project? 

FSEA Bronze Leaf Award Winner: Less is More

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Small Laser Cutting Machines

Posted on August 8, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

There are varied types of small laser cutting machines depending on the type of laser cutting job that you want.

You can cut carbon steel with a CO2 laser. The laser is a device that can produce a coherent and concentrated light beam through stimulation of molecular or electronic transitions to lower levels of energy that cause photons to be emitted. Laser is short for ?light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.?

Acrylic panels that are cut by laser can be turned into shapes and signs that can be used for lettering outside the building or even inside through laser-cut graphics. there are graphic designers of laser cutting companies that can set up any file to make it ready for laser cutting.

These companies supply products that are laser cut for use by builders, architects, commercial and building designers, floor layers, and other companies specializing in industrial design. You can either set up a meeting with these experts or you can email them for suggestions and advice on the best laser cutting materials and methods.

Commercial building designers are supplied with laser cut panel systems made from aluminum for under boards and eaves. The aluminum laser cut shapes and styles are used by designers of display systems.

Laser cut signs and letters that are dimensional and custom-cut and can build your corporate identity in stores, reception areas, and showrooms. You can even integrate in a cost-effective manner letters and other components into your displays and signage. it also speeds up your fabrication, even in large volumes of work.

Plasma cutting involves burning the materials. The edge finishing is perfect for materials such as acrylic since the laser beam polishes and cuts at the same time. other materials will either discolor or melt while others can be cut in a precise manner.

So take your pick from various laser cutting tools available on the market.

Small Laser Cutting Machines

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ACHIEVING GREATER PRODUCTIVITY WITH MODERN LASER CUTTING SYSTEMS

Posted on August 8, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

New laser cutting systems address the inefficiencies of older systems and offer much higher competitive value and throughput than the older systems on the market today. That’s not all. Adding full automation can enable you to take advantage of off shifts and weekend operations to meet the demands of your customers. Here’s how.

Modern laser systems offer vastly different options to work with than years ago. Higher laser powers are introduced almost every year, along with consistent and vastly improving machine dynamics and features.

Applications that were once punch-only are now equally, if not more, economical to be processed on a laser because it can process at high accelerations while using increased laser wattage for high cutting speeds. High-speed lasers now process many hundreds of round holes per minute, negating the advantage that punch technology once held in the past. however, the laser still cannot make forms such as louvers, so punching systems remain a viable tool where internal forming is necessary.

Automation has vastly increased the throughput efficiencies of laser cutting systems by achieving increased capacities with unattended shift operations.

PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUESOperating high-speed lasers efficiently requires careful programming considerations. for example, at the speeds now being achieved, programming techniques must consider possible collisions from cut pieces, such as cut outs and other parts. when traveling from feature to feature, most systems employ a Z-axis down condition where the X and Y are the only moving axes. In such cases it is imperative to ensure that programming completely avoids the features that were previously cut. Effectively, the end of cut from one feature needs to be in the shortest path to the subsequent feature to be cut. This technique is called feature avoidance and requires that the lead-ins are aligned in the direction of the next feature to be processed.

Lead-ins are not always necessary depending on the thickness of the material, but the orientation of the start location will be the location of your end point as well. as the cut feature is released from the part it will either fall through the support grates or tip up. With feature avoidance programming, you completely avoid the tip ups by moving away from the previous features and never crossing over these features while positioning.

Another programming consideration is the cut direction of the feature itself, combined with the travel direction of the next feature. if, for instance, we are cutting a series of holes and transitioning from the left-to-right direction, the most efficient way to ensure a smooth transition without making sudden changes of direction is to program so that the feature’s direction of processing is counter-clockwise. if we change the transitioning from right-to-left in the second row of holes, we would program the direction of the holes to be clockwise. The smooth transition occurs because the motion from feature to feature is in the same orientation as the cut feature itself.

Another technique for high speed processing is called scanning technology, which is only available on high-speed machines with a fast switching laser power supply and very accurate positioning at high speeds. Scanning allows the high speed processing of square holes or any feature that consists of straight line segments. Scanning is achieved by moving across a series of square holes. as you travel, the laser beam cuts all of the straight lines in one direction that are in line with each other. In the case of the square holes, as we travel in the X direction all of the bottoms and the tops of the squares would be cut and, likewise, the left and right sides of the squares would be cut while traveling in the Y axis direction.

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ACHIEVING GREATER PRODUCTIVITY WITH MODERN LASER CUTTING SYSTEMS

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Laser me beautiful

Posted on August 7, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

Is laser the only answer to pigmentation problems?

IT is common to equate pigment treatment to laser and vice versa. Some say that the laser is a wonder treatment for all pigmentation woes while others discourage and even curse the laser for worsening existing pigmentation.

While it is certainly not advisable to wait for a miraculous cure by itself, it is advisable to explore all possible options and know what is best for your condition.

What is laser?

for pigmentation, the most widely used laser is the Q-switch Nd:Yag laser.

A laser is a device that produces an intense beam of coherent light. It comes with many different wavelengths to target different molecules or tissues.

Besides treating or improving the skin, it is used in other surgeries for cutting purposes and is also used to rectify eye refractive errors.

There are many types of lasers in the market to cater for the different uses.

For pigmentation, the most widely used laser is the Q-switch Nd:Yag laser. Other effective lasers include CO2, erbium:yag, ruby, thullium, and alexandrite.

How does laser work against pigmentation?

Melanin is the pigment molecule that is responsible for pigmentation disorders.

Lasers work by delivering an intense beam of light that specifically targets melanin. This light is then absorbed and converted into heat, which either disperses the group of melanin cells or destroys the skin cells carrying the pigment molecule.

What are the side effects of pigment laser?

All treatment comes with a list of possible side effects. for pigment laser, there is a possibility that the patch undergoing treatment becomes darker (or even lighter) than the surrounding skin.

Adequate sun protection, including the frequent use of sunblock, reduces the probability of developing darker patches.

Fortunately, most of the time, when the skin becomes darker, it is often not permanent and tends to resolve in three to four months.

When the skin becomes lighter, it may be permanent for some patients. Occasionally, the skin may blister or turn crusty.

Are lasers always more effective than other treatments?

This depends on the cause of the pigmentation. Some conditions respond better with creams or chemical peels whilst others respond better with laser.

You have to juggle between the risks and benefits of each treatment.

Lightening cream also has its side-effects.

Conditions that respond better with lasers are freckles, hori

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Canon Declines Most in Three Years as Profit Forecast Cut

Posted on August 7, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

Canon Inc. (7751), the world’s largestcamera maker, plunged the most in more than three years in Tokyoafter cutting its full-year profit forecast because of astronger yen and expectations for weaker global growth.

The shares declined 7.8 percent to close at 2,470 yen, themost since November 2008. the benchmark Nikkei Index gained 0.9percent. Canon shares have declined 28 percent this year.

Net income may total 250 billion yen ($3.2 billion) in2012, the Tokyo-based company said yesterday, paring its Aprilprojection of 290 billion yen because of expectations for weakergrowth in the U.S., Europe and China. Chief Financial OfficerToshizo Tanaka cited a stronger yen and lower sales estimatesfor compact cameras and laser printers as the main reasons forforecasting a smaller profit.

“Even as the worsening macro economy and a stronger yenwere expected to damage Canon’s earnings, an intensifyingcompetition in laser printers was unexpected,” Tetsuya Wadaki,an analyst at Nomura Securities co., said in a report yesterday.It was also a surprise that sales estimates weren’t improvedafter a new mirrorless camera model was unveiled on July 23, hesaid.

Wadaki cut his price target for the stock 8 percent to3,779 yen. Hisashi Moriyama, an analyst at JPMorgan Chase & co.,reduced his price estimate for the stock 12 percent to 2,200yen, while Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analyst Toshiya Hari loweredhis target price 3 percent to 3,600 yen.

The company may need to lower its forecast further, Eiichi Katayama, a Tokyo-based analyst at Bank of America Corp.’sMerrill Lynch said in a report. Laser-printer inventories roseon weak sales at customer Hewlett-Packard co. (HPQ) (HPQ), Yu Yoshida, ananalyst at Credit Suisse Group AG, wrote in a report.

Sales at the office-equipment division, Canon’s biggest,may drop 5.2 percent to 1.8 trillion yen this year, the companysaid yesterday, abandoning an earlier forecast for 1.1 percentgrowth. Imaging-systems sales may increase 17 percent, comparedwith the 20 percent it previously forecast.

U.S. printer makers, including Xerox Corp. (XRX) (XRX) and LexmarkInternational Inc. (LXK) (LXK), lowered earnings forecasts earlier thismonth, citing weakness in Europe. Worldwide hardcopy peripheralsshipments declined 7.4 percent in the first quarter this year,researcher IDC said in may.

The target for compact-camera sales this year was loweredto 21 million units from the 22 million forecast earlier,according to the statement. the company kept the sales targetfor single-lens reflex cameras, used by professionals, unchangedat 9.2 million units.

The maker of EOS models said earlier this week the companyis introducing its first mirrorless model in September, joiningNikon Corp. (7731) in tapping growing demand for lightweight cameraswith interchangeable lenses.

The Japanese currency averaged about 102.90 against theeuro last quarter, compared with Canon’s estimate in April of105 yen. A stronger yen cuts the repatriated value of salesearned overseas.

Each 1-yen decline in the value of the dollar will erodesecond-half operating profit by about 5.3 billion yen, thecompany said today. the impact of a 1-yen decline by the euro isestimated at 2.9 billion yen, the company said. Canon gets 80percent of sales outside Japan.

Canon’s revised profit forecast lagged behind the 289.6billion-yen average estimate of 20 analysts, according to datacompiled by Bloomberg. the company also reported second-quarternet income of 51.7 billion yen, also missing analyst estimatesof 67.6 billion yen.

To contact the reporter on this story:Mariko Yasu in Tokyo at myasu@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:Michael Tighe at mtighe4@bloomberg.net

Canon Declines Most in Three Years as Profit Forecast Cut

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Titanium Laser Cutting

Posted on August 7, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

If you are looking for titanium laser cutting machines, the Internet provides a directory of companies that offer this type of equipment.

Laser cutting remains one of the fastest growing methods in the manufacturing equipment industry. It is being used by fabricators of metals instead of older equipment, such as turret punches.

Laser cutting machines offer important advantages in precision, productivity, flexibility, material utilization, and part?s quality. It consists of major components like machine frame, beam delivery, drive system, and resonator.

A thermal process that is applied to high quality and precise cutting is termed laser cutting. the energy from a laser cutting machine is focused on a material to burn, melt, and vaporize. a number of laser resonators can produce a beam that is focused on a small hot spot to allow faster and high-quality laser cutting resulting in a less expensive operating cost.

Oxygen adds heat to the process and causes the metal to burn and leave a blackened edge. Laser cutting with nitrogen makes the cut cooler, leaving a high quality edge finish.

Laser cutting equipment used in industries can cut various materials that include stainless steel,

aluminum, titanium, wood, bronze, acrylic, leather, and rubber. It uses various types of drive systems with the linear motors and ball screws providing the most accurate results.

A laser cutting machine that gives faster speeds of rapid traverse and greater acceleration are the ones with linear motors. This can also be used when there is a need for precision in laser cutting methods.

Laser cutting systems and tools provide solutions to manufacturing problems. It is a proven industrial machine that operates at all times in industrial fabricating shops. the carbon dioxide laser cutting machine is not only reliable and productive but also easy to maintain.

Remember these guidelines to help you in your selection of titanium laser cutting machines.

Titanium Laser Cutting

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H.B. council takes first look at $2.5 million in cuts

Posted on August 6, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

A reduction in city staff and some city services is on the table as Huntington Beach officials took a first look at the city’s finances for the upcoming fiscal year.

City Council members at a study session on Monday received an overview of the 2012-13 budget and in the coming weeks will grapple with finding places to save the city money and come up with ways to generate revenue.

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Overall, city staff is proposing about $2.5 million in cuts for the next fiscal year.

Staff is proposing a $293.8 total budget, which is 6 percent down from last year. Huntington Beach’s general fund budget, which includes program costs and employee salaries, is proposed to be $186.2 million, a slight increase from 2011-12.

Over the last four years, 220 positions, 183 of those full-time, have been eliminated.

This year, staff proposes cutting nearly 22 positions: 12 full-time and 10.75 part-time.

The Art Center curator position, which would save about $90,000, is on the chopping block along with two sworn police officer positions, which would save about $410,000, city staff said.

Public Works is proposing to reduce citywide maintenance, which would affect parks and other landscaping. Libraries are proposing to buy fewer books for their shelves and reduce database subscriptions. The Fire Department proposes to make its deputy fire marshal a civilian position.

City staff is also coming up with a detailed report on what Huntington Beach is keeping that will be reviewed at a later study session.

Mayor Don Hansen suggested looking at outsourcing the City Attorney’s office and whether contracting with outside firms could save dollars.

The City Attorney is an elected position and cannot be outsourced, but legal services can

“If you look at that budget, it’s 100 percent salaries and offices,” Hansen said. “It doesn’t hurt to test the waters.”

Councilman Joe Shaw said they’ve already spent money on charter changes and an evaluation of the City Attorney’s office, which he called “political maneuvering.” He said he objected to spending more money to study outsourcing.

“Now we’re going to spend some more money on another vendetta against the City Attorney,” he said. “There doesn’t seem to be a purpose to it. I don’t really believe we’ll save money.”

Councilwoman Connie Boardman said instead of finding a way to reduce a small piece of the city’s financial pie, the city should look at ways to generate revenue.

“I just think it’s interesting that we’re picking on a department that makes up 1 percent of the budget,” she said.

But the other council members said it’s not personal, just an exercise to look at a possible way to save the city money.

“We all have our own opinions… it’s becoming particular tired to use anything you disagree with and say it is solely political or solely a vendetta,” Hansen said. “Everybody is accountable now. I’m more than happy to put any and all departments on the table.”

Boardman said she wants to see some of the $2.6 million the city puts in reserves when it has a surplus to save some of these jobs and services.

“I keep going back to that $2.6 million,” she said. “How bad does it have to get before we’re willing to use some of that money?”

But other council members said they wanted to stick to the city’s policy to put that money in reserves because the future is too uncertain to tap into it.

There was some good news among the cuts, including the reinstatement of three police officer positions that were initially on the chopping block and the proposed allocation of $3.8 million for infrastructure improvements.

The city is facing other unique challenges beyond economic constraints, including the loss of the Redevelopment Agency and city pension issues, which is expected to be discussed at a future study session.

The council plans to meet twice more to discuss the budget in August and officials hope to have the budget approved by Sept. 4.

714-796-7953 or jfletcher@ocregister.com

H.B. council takes first look at $2.5 million in cuts

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LVD Blog » Blog Archive » LVD redesigns Orion 3015 Laser Cutting system adding Touch Screen interface

Posted on August 6, 2012 by CapeAdminCraft

#LVD has redesigned its Orion 3015 Plus CO2 laser cutting system and has added a 19” touch screen graphical user interface to improve machine setup and ease of use.

LVD’s Orion 3015 provides cost-efficient processing of a range of materials in sheet sizes up to 1500 x 3000 mm. The redesigned hybrid-style system now features LVD’s latest TouchTM-L graphical user interface technology, allowing both routine and complex operations to be quickly and efficiently completed with minimal operator input.

Touch-L simplifies the laser cutting process through use of intuitive graphical icons and visual indicators to display and control functions. Touch-L also performs automatic nesting and job generation. it provides the user flexibility to easily change cutting qualities, position and type of lead-in, and add or relocate micro joints for all online generated jobs.

The addition of the Touch-L interface to the redesigned Orion simplifies setup and operation of the system, making the laser cutting system ideal for entry level users.

The Orion 3015 Plus also features automatic cutting gas selection, automatic focal positioning and automatic cutting gas pressure control with servo valve to further aid in machine set-up and operation.

The laser cutting system is equipped as standard with Process Control, which automatically senses piercing times and detects and controls plasma when cutting stainless steel and aluminum. This feature maximizes processing time and minimizes part damage due to loss of cut.

Orion 3015 Plus employs the highly reliable Fanuc RF excited fast axial flow CO2 laser. The laser, CNC control, drives and motors are fully integrated, providing superior processing speed, high reliability, and low operating and maintenance costs.

Automation options are also available. The laser cutting machine can be equipped or retrofitted with an automatic load/unload unit or a Compact Tower (CT-L) warehouse system.

LVD Blog » Blog Archive » LVD redesigns Orion 3015 Laser Cutting system adding Touch Screen interface

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