Main Pic: The waterjet guided laser allows
the MTC to develop and use the latest
technology to support industries across the
UK with their manufacturing challenges
laser machine
and trying to support its uptake in the UK, which has
been slower than in other countries around the world, to
support this we are working with all the suppliers in the
sector,” says Smith. “We now have a lot of capability and
the Synova slots in there to support the others that we
operate giving us a wide range of laser offerings for
manufacturing companies to trial and assess on-site.
“For example, we will be helping to develop production
solutions for the machining of lightweight, high
performance, hard to machine materials that will be
crucial in helping manufacturing businesses hit the UK’s
upcoming net zero targets.”
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
The Synova LCS305 is a highly accurate 5-axis Laser
MicroJet (LMJ) machining centre with water-cooled linear
and torque motors, combining a laser with a “hair-thin”
waterjet that guides the laser beam as would a
conventional optical bre.
LEAD FEATURE LASER SHARP
Amédée Zryd, Synova’s application and R&D director,
who leads the partnership with the MTC, says besides
keeping the laser beam focused and parallel over a long
distance, the waterjet continually cools the cutting zone
and ef ciently removes debris.
“This technology, invented, patented and
commercialised by Synova, resolves a certain number of
signi cant problems, such as thermal damage, debris
deposition and taper,” he explains.
“A fully automatic offset calibration system integrates
laser waterjet alignment, angle correction for perfect jet
verticality, laser power meter, vision system, automatic
positioning and touch probe. Additional sensors monitor
the process, to determine the breakthrough in cutting or
drilling or the wear of the nozzle.”
The LCS305 can perform a range of operations, such
as 3D cutting, 3D shaping, drilling, slotting, grooving,
trenching, milling, slicing, edge grinding (K-land edges,
single or multiple clearance angles) engraving and
pro ling.
It can machine any material that is not transparent to
the green wavelength, including metallic alloys
(superalloys, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium alloys
and nickel), technical, hard materials and metals
(polycrystalline CBN, CVD and natural diamond, WC-Co),
composites such as ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs),
or carbon bre reinforced polymer (CFRP).
The LCS305 with 5 axes is speci cally designed for
Above: The Synova LCS305 with 5 axes is
specifi cally designed for the automatic
production of larger and multi-tooth
diamond cutting tools
Below:
The Synova
LCS305 coupling
unit
the automatic production of larger and multi-tooth
diamond cutting tools. The CNC machine with ve
synchronous axes is characterised by an intelligent
machine concept and highly dynamic axes for maximum
precision and speed.
The LCS disposes of consistent temperature control
with water-cooled linear and torque motors (+/- 0.1°C)
and a mineral casting machine bed for more stability and
reduced vibrations. A fully automatic offset calibration
system integrates laser-nozzle alignment, automatic jet
angle correction, laser power metre and touch probe.
Tools can be exchanged with a very high accuracy thanks
to the HSK 63 tool holder.
The LCS305 is a complete CNC system that includes
the SynovaCut 5.0 CAD/CAM software and can be exibly
incorporated into production as either a standalone
system or into automated lines for operator-free highvolume
production.
Smith believes the cutting-edge technology will be an
www.machinery.co.uk | MachineryMagazine | @MachineryTweets | January 2021 11
/www.machinery.co.uk