Mazak FG-400 NEO raises the bar for 3D tube laser cutting

Mazak continues to be at the forefront of innovation with the release of a new model in the FG 3D laser cutting machine series. The FG-400 NEO is an all-in-one solution designed for maximum productivity and ease of operation. The new model is optimized for high-speed machining of tubes, pipes and long structural materials.  

This latest machine design, featuring a resonator with variable beam mode, can perform multiple processes, including 3D cutting, tapping, drilling, beveling and flow drilling. Beam Shaping Technology controls where the power density of the laser beam is concentrated, improving cutting speed and quality on a wide range of materials. The laser beam generated by the fiber has a shorter wavelength than CO2 technology and is therefore much more effective when cutting metal, even on hard-to-machine materials.

The FG-400 NEO is specially designed for cutting large-size pipes and tubes, such as round, square and rectangular cross-sections, along with H-, I- and L-beams. The new model can also process highly reflective materials such as copper and brass, and produce complex shapes and close-fitting joints. 

All this is possible thanks to several advanced features developed by Mazak for superior cutting quality and accuracy. These include a 3D cutting head that can move in an A-axis and B-axis to allow processing of a wider range of materials at the desired angle with a high degree of accuracy. The 3D cutting head can also deflect to prevent damage upon collision with the workpiece. Four chucks operate simultaneously, moving along and around the axes to prevent material distortion. 

This ensures a stable process at all thicknesses, resulting in higher productivity and less waste. Other features include automatic centering and clamping of the material, and support units to accommodate different shapes and prevent sagging of the material during cutting. The machine is available in multiple configurations with load/unload units in 6m, 8m, 12m and 15m.

The FG-400 NEO provides significant improvements in cutting speed, with up to 33% improvement for mild steel and H-beam square tubes using oxygen as the auxiliary gas, and up to 43% and 49% for mild steel and stainless steel square tubes, respectively, when using nitrogen as the auxiliary gas. The fiber resonator also significantly reduces operating costs and environmental impact, with a reduction of up to 40% in electricity consumption both during cutting and in standby mode. Fiber laser technology also eliminates the need for laser gas.  

Mazak continues to focus on developing machines that are user-friendly in terms of accessibility and ease of operation. The machine is equipped with a 15″ FX CNC screen and uses the FX TUBE CAD/CAM tube cutting software, which offers several features, including a nesting function, a simulation tool and a scheduling function for continuous production. The combination of these elements provides productivity benefits that reduce setup times and the risk of human error. 

The FG-400 NEO offers great accessibility, excellent visibility of the cutting area and ease of use. The FG-400 NEO's ergonomic design reduces the distance the operator travels while operating the machine by placing the control panel and loading and unloading stations on the same side. This also offers the advantage that the machine can be placed against a plant wall to save space.    

The exceptional productivity of the fiber resonator, coupled with the ability to run multiple processes on one machine, makes the FG-400 NEO the ultimate solution for volume manufacturers looking to take their tube processing capabilities to the next level.