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Product Type: Fiber Laser Cutting System
Manufacturer: AMADA
Model: FOL 3015 AJ
Where to buy: Contact AMADA
Performance Rating: 5/5
Quality Rating: 5/5
User Friendly Rating: 5/5
Price Rating: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.75/5 stars
Introduction:
HOW DID PEKO COME ABOUT USING THIS PRODUCT?
Last year, we faced a threefold problem. We were on-boarding some new high volume customers, in need of a new laser to replace a CO2 model, and looking meet overall company-wide productivity improvement efforts. We’d known about the benefits of fiber lasers , but were waiting for business conditions to be just right. The time had come and the AMADA laser was in our crosshairs.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS WE HAVE SEEN?
- Extremely fast cutting speed (we are seeing 4-5x faster than CO2 lasers)
- Highly Reliable
- More materials can be cut (some red metals not usually available for cutting on CO2)
- Lower operating costs
- Excellent AMADA service
WHAT ARE SOME SHORTFALLS OF THIS EQUIPMENT?
- Materials thicker than 1/2″ do not enjoy the same performance improvements over CO2
PRICE VS VALUE
This is an extremely high value machine. The AMADA price point is just right int he marketplace, but what you get in terms of speed and flexibility totally justify the machine purchase. With cutting speeds of 4-5x that of a CO2, you’re more likely to have trouble finding enough work for it, and that’s a good thing. AMADA also offers automated loaders for this laser (which we own as well). When paired, suddenly the outrageous productivity of the laser improves even more drastically! Speed and loadability make this laser great for high volumes, ease of use and programming make lower volumes a snap.
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK AND HOW IS THE USABILITY?
After almost 6 months of use, we couldn’t be happier with our fiber laser. AMADA has some very impressive claims, like rapid traverse speeds of 13,380″/min, and our experience completely substantiates these claims. The cutting speeds still blow us away. Both managers in charge of the business performance and the operators in charge of the manufacturing performance of the FOL 3015 absolutely love it. The machine is extremely user friendly and flexible.
WHAT WERE SOME ALTERNATIVES WE COULD HAVE PURSUED?
All the major metal fabrication OEMs offer comparable fiber lasers. The AMADA had exactly the service, pricing, performance and quality attributes that were a perfect fit for our business. In PEKO’s opinion, fiber lasers are an excellent technology to replace CO2 and even some turrets depending on your work load and business case.
CONCLUSION
In short, we would recommend the AMADA FOL 3015 AJ to any fabricator or manufacturer looking for huge efficiency gains across any number of part geometries and materials. With a strong name like AMADA backing the performance and service of these lasers, you really must add this to your “must buy” list in your next capital expenditure cycle. The FOL 3015 continues to impress our most experienced operators and managers.
Check out the laser and loader at work:
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