Metals leader partners with ipLaser

Metals leader partners with ipLaser in industry expansion

Like the man who famously liked a shaver so much he bought the company, a fan of cutting-edge Australian technology has given it a major boost by investing his expertise and industry leadership into its future in the Americas.

Unlike Victor Kiam, who was drawn into Remington by a close shave, the new North and South Americas Director for Australian laser technology pioneers ipLaser is in it to expand the future capabilities of laser cutting – already one of the world’s fastestgrowing industries. Felipe Lechuga was already highly successful with his company Lemaco Corte Laser, headquartered in Chile, when he began his relationship with the Australian company. Lemaco was supplying finely engineered laser-cut metal components to Chilean companies in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction and electronics. Lechuga hit the headlines at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, using his decades in laser cutting and sheetmetal manufacturing to provide a “Made in Chile” solution to the lack of respirators. “Becoming a director of ipLaser and expanding the reach of our time-saving laser quotation technologies was a short step for me,” he says. “I have always been a geek for technology, software and machines, particularly where they make the job easier and more efficient. This is exactly what is happening with the technologies of ipLaser, which is creating opportunities for thousands of laser cutting workshops to substantially grow their business, without substantially growing their costs. “You might think the actual laser cutting is the hardest part of running a laser cutting business. But the work behind the scenes, such as preparing quotations, is often the biggest limitation on businesses expanding and reaching their full potential. That was why ipCompute (parent company of ipLaser) feels like a natural place to be. I had a great relationship with the founders Ivan Cooper and Peter Olle since the beginning of our conversations, and was really impressed with the way they took their practical experience, from 20 years work on the factory floor, and used technology to turn it into a gamechanger for the laser cutting industry.” It was a natural step for Lechuga to go from a customer to becoming a Director of ipLaser. Its cloud-based laser cutting quotation platform is designed to meet the requirements of busy modern laser job shops by enabling accurate, consistent and timely quotations for complex parts requiring multiple processes. Lechuga was familiar with the global respect for ipLaser long before he formally joined, having used the quotation technology in his own business. ipLaser’s latest innovation is 3D-comptible laser cutting quotation software that typically more than halves the time and manual input required by companies to prepare precise estimates for their services. This next-generation technology, which offers major advances on more time-consuming two-dimensional quotation technology, opens the door to major expansion of workshops by reducing the number of steps in the quotation process. The ipLaser cloud-based technology suite – which can automatically process three-dimensional engineering and production graphics provided by customers – not only automates business processes and saves time, but also transforms and expands opportunities for the huge and rapidly growing number of laser service providers. Ivan Cooper, Managing Director of ipLaser, explains: “It does this by enabling laser cutting businesses to respond to customers’ needs more quickly and to reach many more prospective customers than previously in a given time. The new process – which we believe is unique in the global market – goes far beyond saving time and costs, to fundamentally change and improve the way a business built around laser cutting can grow.

Felipe Lechuga has joined ipLaser as its new North and South Americas Director.

“Laser cutting is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, with the machine market alone expected to exceed US$7bn by 2024, as major industries adopt this fast and accurate technology that flexibly responds to the digital revolution of Industry 4.0.” Lechuga says ipLaser’s technology is also a boon for laser cutting customers, because of the time it saves and because of the precise record it automatically keeps on parts ordered and delivered. “We’ve been using ipLaser for more than four years now,” he says. “Initially we used it just for internally prepared quotations because our primary goal was to be able to send fast, consistent quotes to our customers. About one year in we started using it for external (or customer-prepared) quotes. This, for certain customers, is a great benefit since they can have a price on the spot, whenever they need it, without depending on us to process their request. “Now the latest 3D module has opened new possibilities for us, improving the way we service our customers. Before we had to ask them for 2D drawings, or they had to wait a long time for us to prepare a quotation for them when supplying us with 3D assembly files.” According to Lechuga, using ipLaser offers many benefits: “First there’s consistency. No matter who prepares a quote, the rules

governing it are embedded within the system (defined by the manager), so the price is always going to be the same. Also, we are now able to quote much faster, even when our workloads are way higher than back in the day of manual quoting. And the system is flexible, enabling some customers to prepare the quotes on their own and tweak quantities, materials, thicknesses in a couple of minutes, so as to optimise their jobs. “Our own laser cutting business managed to free the technical office from processing hundreds of parts drawings that would never make it to cutting, since in a typical job shop less than 50% of the quoted items are ordered. This allows the expensive time and resources (such as CAM software) of the technical office to concentrate on the jobs that actually get ordered.” ipLaser’s technology differs from conventional 2D-based laser quotation technologies as it can be fed full 3D schematics of a product and precisely sift out all 2D sheet metal surfaces required to be cut, by a laser workshop of any size and complexity. The automated 3D process eliminates many previous obstacles to the use of 3D encountered by laser cutting companies, whose services are delivered in a 2D sheet metal environment, using surfaces that must be extracted from 3D drawings. Cooper says previous challenges in the conversion included high cost and time demands: “3D packages are expensive, trained operators are expensive, and finding the time to train people (if they have no prior experience) is hard too.” Before adopting the technology, Lechuga’s approach to quoting was typical of a one-machine shop: “I figured out the cut length and number of ‘piercings’ (where the machine starts a new cut). From each drawing we had to estimate using a CAD software. Then I entered those numbers in a simple spreadsheet I prepared myself that had the piercing times and feed rates for every material we processed. It worked, but it was painfully slow in operation, timeconsuming to set up, and didn’t take into account factors such as machine acceleration. Plus, at the end, you had to export a PDF from the spreadsheet, and we didn’t have a database of all the quoted jobs. “Later we made a tailored software that was a sophisticated version of this spreadsheet that had a customer database and was able to directly output a PDF that we could email to the customer. Materials and cutting times came from our machine’s CAM software so we loaded our technical office with jobs estimating and the like. I had to prepare the quotes myself, so I couldn’t delegate this task to anyone because all the pricing criteria was only in my head! I spent many years without being able to spend a single day without sending quotes… including holidays!” Lechuga says that, because ipLaser’s software was specifically built for laser-cutting job shops by people involved in this market, it adapts to users’ needs better than any other multi-purpose tool. “A screwdriver will always work better than a Swiss knife – it is perfected for the job!” says Lechuga. “Also, our software works with any brand of machine you have or may have in the future. This way, we can grow with our customers no matter what machine they decide to buy in the future. “Our new ipLaser software Toolbox is a suite of tools that are simple yet powerful, and it’s permanently growing in its features and capabilities. It is supersimple to set up – and flexible. In the Americas, there is a wide range of different job shops with different needs, so the modular concept of Toolbox makes it very easy to tailor the set of tools that each particular customer may need. Plus, new tools can be accessed by the customer if they need them further on. “All of our customers throughout the Americas will always have the latest version of the software and no investment needs to be made up front! Everyone has access to all of the new features, and we help them grow, as we grow with them.” www.iplaser.com

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New Quantum ESP delivers hyper-pressure

Techni Waterjet’s new Ultimate Series of its Quantum Electric Servo Pump brings the benefits of “hyper-pressure” waterjet cutting, without the costs this usually entails.

A few years ago, the ever-evolving waterjet cutter took an important step in its technological evolution. In the drive to achieve faster cutting speeds, hydraulic intensifiers were employed, increasing the maximum pressure from 4,100 bar to 6,000 bar. Despite the “hyper-pressure” delivered by these intensifiers, a downside soon emerged in the form of significantly higher operating costs. Drawbacks such as the early failure of high-pressure components, higher maintenance costs, and increased downtime minimised any advantage these new pumps initially promised. As a result, the design of check valves and seals had to be changed to ensure increased service life while allowing for higher pressure. As one of the most experienced waterjet manufacturers in the world with more than 30 years in the industry, Techni Waterjet tackled these issues head on. Working behind the scenes to develop a new Quantum Electric Servo Pump (ESP) that could generate hyper-pressure without significantly increasing costs. Today, after substantial R&D investments, Techni Waterjet has proudly launched its new Ultimate Series. Techni Waterjet’s experienced engineers didn’t just focus on creating wear parts that would last longer under hyper-pressure. The team went further and designed a system that was even simpler and faster to maintain than any traditional waterjet cutting pumps. They developed patentable cartridge-style check valves that are readily accessible and can be changed within minutes, and ensured that no special tools would be required to access and replace any hyperpressure components, including the seals. Through numerous patentable features, the Ultimate Power ESPs offer both longevity and ease of maintenance, ensuring the customer receives all the benefits of hyper-pressure without the downsides. “As pressures increase, the lifetime of mechanical parts reduce at an exponential rate,” says Darren Reukers, Managing Director at Techni Waterjet. “This meant that in order to achieve a similar lifetime for parts at hyper-pressures to those experienced at traditional waterjet cutting pressures, a 300% increase in lifetime is required for any given pressure. The development of the revolutionary seal and check valve designs to achieve this required more than 12,000 hours of testing and trialing of approximately 100 different design iterations. We are now confident to have found the right balance between price, ease of maintenance, and service lifetime.” In addition, thanks to Techni Waterjet’s patented direct servo technology, the Ultimate Series ESPs can achieve hyper-pressure while keeping power consumption to a minimum. Techni Waterjet has brought a range of new advantages into the world of 6,000-bar hyper-pressure. To cut faster not only means faster turnarounds, but also reduced abrasive requirements, through earlier job completion and the use of a cutting stream with higher power density. Abrasive usage contributes to more than 50% of the overall operating cost of a waterjet, so the Quantum Ultimate Series offers a short payback cycle. Today’s leading corporations are making sustainability and low emissions a KPI in their business models and their mission statements. Governments are incentivising investments into green technologies. Quantum is currently the only waterjet pump to fully meet these new eco-friendly criteria – it is future-proofed technology. Acccording to Techni Waterjet, its new Ultimate Power ESPs are the most efficient waterjet cutting pumps available on the market, using less resources for every metre of cutting.

www.techniwaterjet.com

BekaMak bandsaw delivers precision, productivity

The BekaMak BMSY-540CGH semi-automatic, double column and swivel head bandsaw has been designed for manufacturing industry, engineering shops, steel fabrication and steel merchants.

Available from Hare & Forbes/Machinery House, the European-made BMSY540CGH offers many features that deliver high precision and impressive productivity. It has a 750mm x 540mm rectangular capacity and a double column structure for heavy duty cutting to length of structural steel beams and sections. The machine is also equipped with an inverter variable speed blade control, a hydraulic top clamp for bundle cutting and a swivel head for mitre cutting up to 60 degrees. A two-degree blade incline further improves cutting performance. A hydraulic blade tension device with blade breakage detection enables precise blade tensioning, while linear guideways provide long-term cutting precision and durability. There is a vibration dampener control for adjusting the cutting pressure of the bow to suit different materials. An optical material height sensor eliminates air cutting time on multiple cuts, enabling the blade to lower quickly and start the programmed cut feed rate immediately as the blade contacts the material. A digital readout display assists mitre cutting accuracy, while a laser line zero setting for the initial blade contact makes set-up fast and easy. Bundled material to the machine’s full capacity is securely clamped by large 500mm high vice jaws, and the full stroke cylinder vice makes it easy to change the clamping size to suit the steel being cut. Optional accessories include an in/out feed roller conveyor system for heavy material handling, and a powered swarf conveyor. Other BekaMak bandsaw models are available with the capacity to process material sizes up to 910mm by 750mm.

www.machineryhouse.com.au/B141

TruPunch delivers output upgrade for Sheetmetals Limited

New Zealand-based fabrication shop Sheetmetals Limited recently purchased a TruPunch turret punch from Headland Machinery in a bid to ensure a quality end product with improved customer lead times.

Originally established in the 1930s, Sheetmetals Ltd (SML) was acquired in 1983 by Kerry Dines, Director and Owner of Dines Group of Companies. SML is a fabrication business focused on architectural design, facades, structural steel products, balustrades, handrails and all other building components such as cabinets and including retail and office fit-outs. SML currently employs over 21 people and works with all kinds of sheet metal such as stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass, bronze across multiple industries. Claden Williams, General Manager at SML, discussed the compay’ recent purchase of a TRUMPF turret punch. “We’ll be using the TruPunch for improved customer lead times and to ensure a quality end product,” says Williams. “We originally wanted to buy a smaller punch; however, with the growth projection of the company we wanted a machine that could grow with us, and would not need to be replaced too quickly.” Williams joined the company over seven years ago, starting off in project management and then progressing to the General Manager position. He has focused heavily on streamlining operations, workflows and trying to improve work efficiencies since joining the company. “We chose the TRUMPF product due to the high-quality reputation and output, but also due to Colin Brown (Digital Solutions and Applications Specialist at Headland),” Williams adds. “He’s provided us with great support from the beginning, whether that’s through the installation process, training, technical support, software or automation advice, he’s a great person to work with and easy to get along with.” Many of SML’s customers use TRUMPF equipment, so Williams opted for the same brand to get consistent quality. The SML team also requested TRUMPF due to their comfort with the operating systems and software. With the new machine, the company will be able to go after more work in the perforated sheet area for buildings and ceilings, balustrades, facades and other products for the construction and architectural industry. “Previously, we outsourced the perforated sheet manufacturing,” Williams explains. “We wanted to bring this in-house primarily to speed-up timelines and have the ability to provide greater support to our customers.” SML is facing similar business challenges to a lot of manufacturers. With apprenticeship programs having been essentially stopped some years ago, the company is struggling to find new talent. “It’s hard to get the right people that can grow with the company and learn the new technology,” says Williams. “When you have the latest equipment, that certainly helps to attract the right people that want to work with that technology. “I’m all about time management, it’s important to me that we as a business set up each job in the most efficient and cost-effective way, where you stop and start each job is important. I’m expecting to save a lot of set-up time with the new punch in addition to the efficiencies gained through the advanced technology.”

www.headland.com.au www.sheetmetalsltd.co.nz

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