2018cnc4-5.2

CNC WEST April/May 2018 www.CNC-West.com 79 technology allows cutting of even the most reflective metals like polished stainless, aluminum, brass and copper at full power and stability. Incredibly reliable and designed to be serviced onsite, the nLIGHT alta family of fiber lasers delivers maximum uptime and withstands harsh environments. “These light sources are a jump forward in fiber optic laser cutting technology,” said TroyWilson, product manager for Cutting Products, Cincin- nati Incorporated. “Red metal cutting is historically difficult due to reflection, which causes most systems to shut down. Systems with the nLIGHT tech- nology are able to absorb the reflection and continue running with no error messages or operator intervention. This is a huge step forward for fiber optic laser cutting and is the latest evidence of CI’s commitment to advancing ma- chine tool technology.” Carbide Grade for Tools Machining Difficult Alloys —Ceratizit The Ceratizit Group offers from- stock rods with two helical coolant holes, as sintered, in the high-perfor- mance CTS24Z grade. This carbide grade is designed for the machining of tools out of difficult materials like titanium or corrosion-resistant alloys for high-temperature applications. According to the company this grade is similar in hardness to the CTS18D and CTS20D grades and still features a higher toughness. The com- pany says that in everyday production it provides protection against breakage and provides consistent tool perfor- mance. The titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is frequently used in the aerospace industry and medical systems sector. According to the company, com- parative tests when machining this material have shown that this grade can increase tool life compared to conventional carbide grades. Solid rods are available in this grade as both ground and as sintered. New Products