Increasing focus on automating the metal plate cutting process

By OEM Update Editorial March 2, 2020 3:18 pm IST

Discussing the evolution of fibre laser technology in the Indian metal plate processing industry, Prashant Chaturvedi, General Manager – Oxyfuel Business & Head – Marketing, Messer Cutting Systems India Private Limited shares his views.

How was your experience in IMTEX 2020? How do you analyse the responses?
The event this time was a good experience for us. The response we received was very satisfactory, as it enabled us to track and cover every lead using third-party CRM application, which was then taken over by our sales team for further business prospects.

How do you perceive the increasing demand for fibre laser technology in cutting and tooling industry?
Fibre laser technology in India is gaining momentum at a fast pace in the segment of plate cutting machines. With laser, the process has become cleaner than before, can be commenced and completed at a commendable speed. It further minimises the heat affected zone. Moreover, reduction of capital involvement is further helping the segment. With the introduction of laser technology, manufacturers are now offering higher kW machines, which means that you can now have more cutting and higher thickness. We have also made a significant footprint in laser plate cutting machine segments.

How do you view the evolution of Industry 4.0, automation and robotics in transforming the industry?
Yes! Certainly this is the era of Industry 4.0, automation and robotics. A crucial face of Industry 4.0 is autonomous production methods powered by “Cyber – Physical”, which means that machines, software and networks can complete tasks seamlessly. Together comes the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, with the focus on safety, flexibility, versatility, and collaborative for CNC automation and robotics. Its seamless integration into human workspaces becomes more economical and productive and further opens up several possibilities and opportunities.

What are the latest products and technologies you launched during the event or in recent times?
This year we had successfully launched our two new products at IMTEX 2020:

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Fully integrated material handling solutions for laser and plasma machines
• It is a wonderful system in which we stack all the different plates that you need to cut. Moreover, they have a storage location. As per the job sequencing, the system automatically picks up
• the plate, places them on a shuttle table, the machine does the cutting and the cut parts are unloaded on the other side. This system will increase the productivity and machine utilisation significantly.

Next-generation CNC plasma cutting machine “ELEMENT 4000”

• This is the latest global plate cutting solution from Messer; all the good features are the result of our five R&D centres located across the globe which enables this machine to give customers “Best of All” functions. It has the highest travel speed in plasma machines to increase productivity drastically.
• The new high-performance industrially designed package incorporates numerous technological advancements in this machine. It has the highest travel speed in plasma machines that increases the productivity drastically. The use of new precision helical rack and pinon drive systems improves cutting quality.
• The new large format 18.5-inch multi-touch screen enhances user experience, and provides maximum customer flexibility like full range available cutting and marking.
• The new global lifter speeds up the cutting process, lightning fast 500 mm/sec
• Both these machines are Industry 4.0 ready, which means that it can achieve higher productivity with minimal human intervention.

What are your plans and projections for the next two years?
We are highly ambitious for the coming years and for the same, we have revamped our team by expanding manpower in customer service. As we know, “In service lies success.” We have invested in a new plant in Coimbatore especially for laser. Apart from that, many processes are being done in-house, including heat treatment to ensure quality and durability. There is a significant investment in manpower and leadership development as well, which will help us to increase the overall customer experience. We call it as “THE MESSER EXPERIENCE”.