Replacing traditional machining processes with Laser

By OEM Update Editorial June 9, 2021 1:31 pm IST

Any of our global factories can manufacture the globally designed product to the highest standards. For consistent and long-term performance, we use key technologies sourced from reputable sources in India.

Highlighting the benefits of Laser and Plasma Cutting, Utkarsh Landekar, Head – Laser Business (India & Exports), Messer Cutting Systems Pvt. Ltd., explains us the transformations in the sheet metal and cutting tools industry.

How are the present market trends impacting the sheet metal and plate cutting industry?

Presently, the sheet metal and plate cutting industry is undergoing a radical change in the process due to the introduction of Laser and Plasma systems to cut the same. There is a rapid rise in Laser sales due to falling prices and higher production of machine quantities. Moreover, technologies like Laser edge machining, Ultra Jump, Zip cut and Scan cut have been introduced. As a result, lasers are replacing many traditional processes such as edge machining, milling, drilling, punching, and shearing. There is a shift in the thought process.

How do you assess your readiness to meet the demand for laser cutting in Indian industries in the midst of pandemics?

Indian industries are witnessing a steep increase in the demand for the laser cutting machine. Even during the pandemic, there has been demand for a few hundreds of machines. We have also prepared ourselves to handle 1 kw to 15 kw of laser cutting power currently available from India. We are poised to handle even larger power. To handle the customer machine upkeep is a challenge in the Pandemic, so we have strategically posted service teams to serve customers locally. The logistics of spares and consumables have also been made very efficient.

How are the new technologies enhancing the cutting processes?

How do you see the differentiation between your products in Laser cutting products in India and others?

We definitely have an edge over others in terms of manufacturing and serving customers in India. We have over 123 years’ experience of cutting globally. This acquired expertise is an input in machine design and control systems. The globally designed product can be manufactured at the highest standards in any of our global factories. In India, we use key technologies sourced from reputed sources for consistent and long-term performance. We produce machines from plates and sheet metal with a complete infrastructure of fabrication, heat treatment, shot blasting and painting roof under one roof. Thereafter, the equipment is assembled with extreme precision and care. The machines undergo rigorous endurance and accuracy tests before they are delivered to the customer. This results in consistent, assured performance for at least 15 years, negligible maintenance with a peace of mind for the customer.

What are the present challenges in terms of maintaining the safety of workmen?

There has been an inflow of cheap imported and few locally manufactured machines which buyers find irresistible to buy. They are built with a lot of compromises to the operator’s safety. This is primarily due to lack of awareness of Laser safety guidelines. We educate our clients and also produce machines which comply with global laser standards. With Messer Laser there is no compromise on safety.

What are your latest offerings for industrial purposes?

Our Latest offering are covering the most of laser machines required in the industries. They are in 2 categories Pre-cut sheet metal systems and large plate cutting systems. In the first categories machine like 3X1.5,2X4,2X6.3,2X8 which are the Indian standard cut plates are catered using standard format laser machines (SFLM). We have edge over our competitors as we offer the machines to suit Indian plates and parameters to cut them. In the other type of machines, they are flexible to handle any size of plates available in the market and our machines are configured to handle them. We also offer only Laser and Laser plasma combination in this category. The customer gets benefit of both Laser accuracies in inner contour and speed of plasma on outer cutting in a job.