What does the system do?
It is a sheetfed laser cutter for paper and cartonboard, with a wide range of options for laser power, multiple lasers and inline feeders, creasers and robotic stackers. Roll-fed models for labels are available too.
When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?
The US manufacturer LasX was established in 1999, but April saw the launch of its own European office in Hannover. This has a showroom, warehouse and admin facilities. Dirk Stünkel is managing director: his company ProCut was LasX’s European distributor for about a year previously.
LasX Europe will introduce itself at the HP Indigo user group’s Dscoop event in Dublin this month. The cutter will only be shown on video, but there will be live demonstrations of the inline robotic stacker.
Stünkel says the main sheetfed market is digital printing and packaging in short or mixed runs, where the time and expense of physical dies is not justified. Variable data cutting is available for applications like personalised promotional items, greetings cards, custom POS displays or security perforations.
How does it work?
LaserSharp uses one or more powerful CO2 lasers, which are steered across a substrate by a pair of rotating faceted mirrors aligned in the X and Y axes. The width is determined by the angle of view of the mirrors; sheet length is effectively unlimited. Wider configurations can be achieved with two or more laser heads.
The term ‘motion’ refers to moving sheets continually under the heads. The lasers can cut straight though paper and board, or perforate or score it. They can also remove ink by ablation.
An optional twin camera system reads barcodes on the print and uses these to instantly call up pattern templates from a database. The cameras can optionally detect printed alignment marks (because the print position can drift with some digital presses) and aligns the cuts to these for each sheet.
A metal mesh vacuum belt is used for sheet transport, rather than grippers. No stripping is needed and waste falls off the end of the belt into a collection bin. Waste from small holes and sharp angles is completely vaporised.
Lasers can only kiss-cut or score material by part-cutting it. If full-strength creases are needed, a third-party inline creaser can be fitted before the laser unit.
A RIP processes the digital artwork files, which have extra layers to define the cut, crease, perforation and ablation patterns.
The optional Spider robot stacker unit fits on the end of the line and can automatically sort, rotate, stack, shingle, and/or collate variable nested parts at high speed. For wider configurations two stackers can be fitted.
How does it differ from previous versions?
The LaserSharp system is some years old; what’s new are the pre- and post-process handling systems and the camera system that simultaneously reads both barcodes and positioning marks that are used for both the laser and the robotic stacker alignment.
How fast/productive is it?
The speed depends on the power of the laser and the total length of the cuts on a particular job. As an example, Stünkel says that a single 400W laser will cut cartonboard at up to 12m per second. The conveyor runs at up to 60m per minute.
What options are there?
Options include laser power (from 160W to 1,000W), total width (up to four heads can be used), inline or nearline feeders, a creaser on the infeed, and a robotic stacking system. It’s possible to buy a wider unit than initially needed and fit more powerful lasers or more heads later.
What’s the USP?
“It is the choice and variety of handling equipment before and after the laser that distinguishes us,” says Stünkel. “The barcode reader that calls up different cutting templates and aligns both the laser and the stacker to the print is also unique to us, we believe.”
How easy is it to use?
“It’s all software driven, very simple and self-explanatory in use,” says Stünkel.
What support is on offer?
LasX Europe will offer training from its Hannover HQ and will also employ engineers for installation and service. The systems include remote diagnosis.
How much does it cost?
Prices for a LaserSharp Motion system range from €200,000 to €600,000 (£145,000 to £436,000), depending on width, laser power, vision system, robot stacker and other options.
What is the sales target?
LasX currently has two European users for electronics production and one for labels. A LaserSharp B2 Motion demo unit will go into the Hannover showroom at the end of August.
Stünkel says that the sales target for EMEA is six to eight complete systems per year. UK agents include CMD Insight UK (founded by Christian Knapp, former MD of KBA UK) for standalone systems, and Perfect Bindery Solutions for integrated lines.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max sheet width 508mm with any length - other widths available
Substrate thickness No particular limit. Paper, cartonboard and acrylic are handled
Cutting speed 12m/sec with 400W laser
Transport speed 60m/min
Laser type Up to four CO2; choice of 100W, 400W or 1,000W
Footprint 2.6x2m (laser unit)
Price From €200,000 (£145,000)
Contact LasX Europe +49 511515 41190 www.lasx.eu
ALTERNATIVES
Highcon Euclid II
This high-end second-generation B1 ‘direct-to-pack’ system has improved media transport and takes double smaller sheets. The II+ version adds optical positioning and integrated stripping. Improved DART technology forms creasing rules from extruded photopolymer.
Max sheet size 760x1,060mm
Substrate thickness range 0.2 to 0.6mm (microflute to 1.2mm)
Max speed Nominally 1,500sph depending on cut length, or 3,000sph with 760x470mm sheets
Laser type Three CO2 400W lasers
Footprint 8.6x2.1m
Price Around £440,700
Contact Highcon +972 8 9101705 www.highcon.net
Themediahouse motioncutter
Broadly similar to LaserSharp with a mesh transport belt and one or more laser heads. It’s compact and keenly priced, although a little slower. A side door allows one-off cutting/engraving. A robot stacking option is available for £25,000 and a barcode reader is launched this month.
Max sheet size 580mm with any length
Substrate thickness range No official limit, it just runs slower on thick materials
Transport speed Up to 8,000sph or 45m/min, depending on cut lengths
Cutting speed Up to 8m/second
Laser type One 230W CO2 laser (400W optional)
Footprint 2.5x1.5m
Price £140,000 (£175,000 with 400W)
Contact Themediahouse 01993 844016 www.motioncutter.com
