Our robots cut and separate materials such as metal, plastic and composites quickly and precisely. By using lasers, plasma cutters and water jet cutters, we minimize material loss and shorten production times. KUKA robots are flexible and easily adapt to different production requirements, which increases overall productivity and reduces costs. Precise cuts are required in plastics processing, while hygienic and accurate cutting processes are crucial in the food industry. Innovative sensors and algorithms ensure consistently high quality and reliability.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting can be used for various cutting tasks. It can be used both for kerfs with micrometer precision or for the cutting of thicker plates. The thermal cutting process is suitable for metallic materials as well as for plastics, steel, glass and ceramics.

Laser cutting: the technology

Laser cutting is a non-contact process. It is frequently used with plate-shaped materials.

The material melts where the laser beam meets it. Depending on the process, a gas flow blows the molten material downwards and out of the kerf. This results in precise and smooth cuts.

Automated laser cutting

From individual robotic cells or the flexible handling of components under a stationary laser head to automatically linked production systems: we develop the optimal solution for your production. Nor do you need to look elsewhere for individual automation components, such as beam source, optics or robots.

Laser cutting: the advantages

The non-contact, thermal cutting process offers the following advantages:

• Clean cut edges
• No workpiece distortion
• Fast process speed with spatial 3D laser cutting
• Optimal material utilization

Oxyacetylene cutting

Oxyacetylene cutting or oxy-fuel flame cutting is a thermal separation process. This technology is particularly suitable for unalloyed and low-alloy steels and steel castings. Flame cutting is a proven process for materials with a higher thickness.

Oxyacetylene cutting: the technology

When using oxyacetylene cutting, first the workpiece is heated to the ignition temperature. Next, oxygen is added. The oxygen must have a purity of at least 99.5 percent.

This oxidizes the workpiece. In addition the oxygen blows the liquid metal out of the kerf. Combustion heat is generated. This in turn heats the underlying layer to the ignition temperature. The process thus continues autogenously and cuts the component. Oxyacetylene cutting has many applications: this technology is found wherever metals in the higher material thickness range are machined and processed.

Automated oxyacetylene cutting

With automated oxyacetylene cutting, the results are reproducible. The proven torch technology and the automatic ignition device ensure that the process starts smoothly. Safe flame monitoring and automatic hole cutting mean that no preparation is required.

Automated oxyacetylene cutting is a proven technology wherever steel in different thicknesses needs to be cut accurately and efficiently. When implementing this process, we rely on our technology database. All of our know-how from past projects regarding materials, sheet thicknesses, seam shapes, and cutting speeds are stored here.

Oxyacetylene cutting: the advantages

Just like with other technologies, the right cutting process is selected based on the needs and requirements of the respective production operations. The key advantages of oxyacetylene cutting are:

• Cutting of components with greater material thicknesses
• Low investment and wearing part costs

Plasma cutting

Plasma cutting is a melting process. Thermal cuts are particularly suitable for medium sheet-metal thicknesses from one to 100 millimeters.

Plasma cutting: the technology

Plasma cutting is a fusion cutting process:

a concentrated electric arc melts the material locally. The feed motion on the machine produces a cut. The plasma gas ensures that the soft material is continuously removed from the kerf, cutting the workpiece.

Automated plasma cutting

KUKA has been using automated plasma cutting for many years now. In addition to sheet metal and profiles, components for automobile, building machinery, container, ship and steel construction can be processed in a cost-effective manner. Automatic position detection and tolerance compensation during the cutting process are made possible by 3D measurement of the workpieces using high-precision sensors.

Plasma cutting: the advantages

We can implement your plans quickly and purposefully thanks to our automated cutting programs.

Using automated program generation for plasma cutting, your production system will be capable of handling a high degree of product variety. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to manufacture small batches in an efficient manner – starting from as little as one unit.