Finland’s first Adige LT5 fiber tube laser to Piiroinen

Salo-based Metalli-Piiroinen Oy has introduced an Adige LT5 fiber laser for cutting tubes, profiles, bars and flat bars. This is the first machine of this model family in Finland. The significant competitive advantages of the LT5 laser include energy efficiency, low maintenance costs, versatile cutting materials and cutting speed. The Artube 3.0 Elements software package used by Piiroinen is, according to previous user feedback, a forerunner in usability and features, reflecting BLM Group’s experience and offering covering the entire field of tube processing. – The investment now made is a significant step towards a more advanced Industry 4.0 environment. We will continue to invest in automation in tube cutting, welding and surface treatment, says Sales and Production Director Seppo Korhonen from Piiroinen.

Adige LT5 fiber tube laser

The LT5 fiber tube laser now delivered represents the smallest size in the model series, for which no equivalent machine is offered by other manufacturers. Similar machines are in use by several major European furniture manufacturers, so the equipment is well suited to Piiroinen’s production. The laser enables even small batches to be produced quickly and efficiently. The LT5 tube laser uses a 1 kW fiber laser source from the leading resonator manufacturer IPG, a Precitec cutting head and Siemens control. With the fiber laser, laser cutting can be performed not only on steels but also on aluminium, copper and brass. The compact LT5 can cut round tubes with diameters up to 120 mm and square tubes up to 100 mm. Tube bundles up to 6,500 mm long can be loaded into the tube laser from the rear, or individual tubes can be fed from the front through the full-length sliding door. The maximum length of cut tubes can be 4,500 mm, with four programmable unloading positions at the front and rear.

Programming directly from a 3D model with the Elements product family

In the programming software for both tube lasers and tube benders, the tubes to be cut and bent can be imported directly from a 3D model using 3D Import. In addition, any fine adjustments and modifications required for manufacturability can be made to the part geometry in the programming software and exported back to the actual 3D model using the Export feature. With BLM’s unique Artube software, the Adige LT5 is able to position hole locations correctly in advance by taking into account the next process, namely bending, and the changes caused by elongation and springback. These changes are measured either with the B-Right feature of BLM tube benders or, in the case of other manufacturers, for example with a measuring arm.

Industry 4.0 in use

The tube laser control and software package include many features of an Industry 4.0 environment. Response time and unnecessary movement of service personnel are reduced by the remote connection interface of the control system, which has been developed for fast factory service diagnostics. Local service support is provided by Fredko Group’s FredBest customer service team together with the Adige customer service centre, which provides personal on-call support on weekdays from eight in the morning until eight in the evening. Fredko Group offers 24/7 on-call support when required as part of the FredCare service programme. Fredko Oy Ab has cooperated with BLM Group since 2011. Italian BLM has 60 years of experience in tube processing machines, including laser cutting, bending, cutting and end forming. Across its three factories, the company employs approximately 700 people.

Metalli – Piiroinen Oy

Metalli-Piiroinen carries out 70% of its production as subcontracting. For Piiroinen, the tube laser is a significant investment. With the machine and accessories, the investment is close to one million euros. – The project has been planned for several years; studies, analyses and method comparisons have been carried out. Less than a year ago, we decided on this investment, which is now being realised in our machine base as a new fiber tube laser. It is a partial solution within a larger automation package. It is the beginning of a larger development project, which will continue in the very near future, says Korhonen. The purpose of the laser is to improve lead times and increase subcontracting capacity, while still taking into account comprehensive service, including tube bending, welding and surface treatment. The payback period for the investment is approximately three years. This year, Piiroinen has also invested significantly in its surface treatment operations. Chrome plating capacity has been increased significantly through the renewal of the line. In the same connection, the chrome plating process has been completely changed to environmentally friendly Cr3 chrome plating. In practice, this means that Piiroinen’s coating process does not contain chromic acid in any form.