ProCutter: the variable laser cutting head

With its ProCutter cutting head, Precitec presented a product of the latest generation at EuroBLECH 2014, the International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition. The laser cutting heads with integrated sensor technology in three different designs can be individually configured and offer optimized flexibility. They are used for the laser-based fusion cutting of thin and medium-thickness materials. The ProCutter generation cutting heads have proven their worth especially for use in flat bed and pipe cutting machines.

Laser-based fusion cutting with the ProCutter

The new ProCutter cutting heads are lightweight and intelligent. They offer an integrated sensor system and guarantee that each and every component can be reproduced to the highest possible quality. The features of the ProCutter cutting heads from Precitec at a glance:

• LED strip: The LED display on the ProCutter cutting head provides information on operating states such as pressure, temperature, drive and degree of contamination.
• Pressure monitoring: The nozzle region and the cutting head are pressure-monitored.
• External interface: All sensor data can simply be read-off via Bluetooth, threshold values can be set.

Three variants of laser cutting heads: ProCutter from Precitec

The cutting heads are available in three different versions and permit versatile material machining. A laser power of up to 6 kW in the near-infrared range ensures the best possible results with compact dimensions and low weight.

The variants are ProCutter, ProCutter Manual, ProCutter Zoom and ProCutter CutMonitor. Each one has its own particular advantages. In its three versions, the ProCutter offers a reliable complete solution for laser-based fusion cutting.

The features of the ProCutter cutting head variant 

The Basic variant of ProCutter combines the most important features in one device. The ProCutter offers motorized focal position adjustment, protective window cartridge, pressure monitoring, LED strip, distance sensors and external interfaces. Depending on machine concept, the ProCutter is available as a straight or angled version.

The features of the ProCutter Manual laser cutting head

Unlike the ProCutter cutting head, the ProCutter Manual variant has manual focal position adjustment. The protective widow cartridge, pressure monitoring, LED strip, distance sensors and external interfaces are identical on both versions. Depending on machine concept, the ProCutter Manual is likewise available as a straight or angled version.

The features of the ProCutter Zoom laser cutting head

Unlike the ProCutter und ProCutter Manual, the ProCutter Zoom  is available only in a straight design. The unique feature of this cutting head is the zoom optics: Automatically sets the focal diameter. Thereby enabling the machining of a broad range of sheet thicknesses and materials. The focal position and focal diameter can be controlled separately. Zooms of between 1.25x and 2.5x change the size of the laser spot by up to a factor of 2.

ProCutter CutMonitor – cutting head with precise monitoring

The ProCutter Monitor variant monitors the piercing process. The key benefit is that the cutting process starts only when the material is fully penetrated. Cut interruption is detected; in case of a fault, the detector outputs a signal.

ProCutter App: Modern interfaces simplify operation and monitoring

ProCutter laser cutting head technology is highly-sophisticated. Sensitive devices are also operated and monitored by modern equipment. Various sensors integrated into the machining head detect possible malfunctions that occur prior to a loss event.

Temperature and diffused light sensors monitor the entire head, as well as individual components such as collimation and focusing optics. In addition, pressure sensors check the cutting gas pressure and the interior space. Information about the overall state and the condition of installed individual components can be called up at any time. The data is displayed on a tablet or smartphone via the ProCutter App.

The collected data are visually prepared so that the current system state is clear at first glance. Specifically, information on the temperature of focal and collimation positions is visible, the cutting gas pressure, as well as the target and actual focal positions are displayed.

In addition, the ProCutter App can be individually personalized. This means that sensor values can be read off or additional threshold values can be set depending on the assigned user rights. So reliable monitoring is also possible remotely and an initial fault diagnosis can be promptly started.