Machine of the Month: December 2009
The Combicut DJ/NC from Breton is a combination saw/waterjet featuring the power, speed and precision of a well constructed bridge saw with the advanced layout nesting, and complex shapes possible with a waterjet.
The machine, now in its fifth year of production, is being offered in several configurations - as a single-tank, stand-alone unit, with a dual tank with an innovative automatic worktop exchanger.
The standard machine unit is equipped with a 23-horsepower spindle head with a full-size capacity that can accommodate blades as large as 20 inches in diameter - allowing users to utilize the highest-speed diamond blades. The spindle is capable of complete 360-degree rotation, thus also optimizing non-cutting time.
The Combicut DJ/NC offers the possibility of combining or alternating blade or waterjet operations depending on slab layout requirements, which allows for the optimization of cutting operations - resulting in higher material yields, minimized waste and minimized material handling.
In the standard version, Combicut DJ/NC is supplied with a fixed work table consisting of a steel tank structure fit with “consumable” steel fins with an easy-to-replace rubber coating designed for supporting and providing traction for the slab during machining operations. The control panel is mounted on a swing arm outside of the working area. A remote keypad is also included to be carried inside the working station when needed. It conforms to EC safety standards as well as to CSA and UL standards.
The latest version of Breton’s “CombiCAM” programming software was designed as an extremely simple, yet powerful application whereby template CAD files are arranged via the mouse over scaled digital photographs of the subject slabs. As the pieces are positioned within the slab photograph, a new feature dynamically renders the project in three dimensions, allowing the designer to match the veins and patterns of the material, while taking into account predefined defects and the material removed during cutting.
Once the layout is confirmed, the software then automatically detects and assigns toolpaths to the blade or waterjet, optimizes the sequence of cuts and assigns feeds and speeds based upon pre-programmed hardness parameters of the material.
Breton’s customizable Automatic Worktop Exchange system for the Combicut is a very popular option designed to have the loading and unloading process take place away from the tank environment in a more safe and ergonomic area while the machine is cutting the subsequent slab. The system is designed to increase the total available cutting time of the machine, therefore offering the shortest cycle time per slab.
The Combicut was engineered to dramatically improve per-project cycle times and costs by eliminating the need for an experienced sawyer and minimizing secondary shaping operations, while being versatile enough to provide sophisticated customization.
www.breton.it
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