"Mitsubishi Laser's patented X-Flow Resonator
Series' design has revolutionized the laser industry with its three-axis,
cross-flow design," said a company spokesperson. "Mitsubishi keeps its resonator
technology simple, eliminating from its design the expensive quartz glass tubes
and roots blower systems. This simplification not only optimizes cutting power;
it requires two-five times less maintenance than other designs, delivering the
industry's lowest cost of operation and ownership.
"With more than 1,100 machines located throughout North America, not one Mitsubishi Laser resonator has ever needed to be replaced. This includes the very first 750-watt lasers, which were brought into the market nearly 20 years ago and are still operating today.
"The resonator is the heart of a laser machine, and determines beam quality, beam stability, power control, and ultimately, finished part quality. Because Mitsubishi is the single-source engineering force behind every component of a Mitsubishi Laser System, its resonators have been designed with the same superior reliability, stability and performance as the rest of the machine. This allows Mitsubishi users to receive the same level of superior service on all components of their laser system, directly from the manufacturer.
"Mitsubishi's beam-on process reaches full power in only 45 seconds, allowing the resonator to be shut down between shifts and during breaks, increasing uptime while dropping electrical consumption.
"Typically, a resonator using traditional fast-axial flow technology sends laser gas through glass tubes at rates around 30 liters per hour. The enclosed glass tubes run a higher risk of directing contaminating particulates toward the optical components in the resonator, decreasing mirror lifetime. Glass tubes are also susceptible to cracks and breaks, which allows pollutants in, contaminating the gas and immediately decreasing power output. By eliminating glass tubes and allowing a much more open circulation, Mitsubishi's resonator design runs a significantly lower risk of contamination.
"During system start-up, traditional resonators
sit idle up to 30 minutes while the chamber is vacuumed down, the roots blower
system restarts and gas refills the glass tubes. Cross-flow technology reduces
laser gas consumption down to three liters per hour.
"Conventional roots blowers can also contaminate the glass tubes with oil, an occurrence that will quickly impact machine performance. Mitsubishi resonators feature low-speed blowers which consist of an oil-less, sealed-bearing construction, completely eliminating the risk of oil-on-bearing contamination.
"Unlike traditional lasers, which have separate bottles of carbon dioxide, helium and nitrogen for the gas mixture, Mitsubishi's cross-flow technology premixes the gases, eliminating the need for a mixer system and reducing the expense of annual gas consumption dramatically.
"While many of our competitors' resonators cost about $40K-$50K and need to be replaced every four-six years, Mitsubishi resonators are married to their original machine tool. And thanks to the resonator's smart design, any maintenance they may require is performed right on the shop floor by the customer or Mitsubishi Service.
For more information contact:
Mitsubishi Laser
c/o MC Machinery Systems, Inc.
1500 Michael Drive
Wood Dale, IL 60191
630-616-5920
E-mail: mitslaser@mcmachinery.com