With a laser cutting system from the MSF Pro series, MFV Maschinenbau GmbH has added another cutting process to its manufacturing capabilities. The system combines laser cutting, weld preparation, drilling, and threading, and is designed for large-format components made of wear-resistant steels.
© Microstep Europa
MFV Maschinenbau GmbH, headquartered in Görlitz, processes approximately 2,000 metric tons of wear-resistant steel—primarily Hardox—annually at its two locations. The company employs about 60 people and manufactures components and welded structures for customers in various industrial sectors in Germany, Austria, and other European countries.
According to the steel processor, in addition to the level of in-house production, material availability is one of the key factors for short delivery times. The company therefore keeps approximately 1,000 metric tons of various wear-resistant sheets in stock. This enables MFV Maschinenbau to manufacture even large quantities on short notice.
Laser Cuts Complement Oxy-fuel and Plasma Cutting
at
Until 2023, cutting was performed exclusively using oxy-fuel and plasma cutting. As part of the expansion of an additional production site, the company decided to add a laser cutting system to its manufacturing operations. “We deliberately chose a laser cutting system to better tailor the benefits of precision, part sizes, and cutting speed to our customers’ needs,” says Axel Jantke, managing director of MFV Maschinenbau.
© Microstep Europa
The steel processor therefore opted for a laser cutting system from Microstep’s MSF Pro series. It features a swivel table with a processing area of 9,000 × 2,500 mm and is equipped with a 20-kW fiber laser source from IPG. The processing range covers material thicknesses from 2 to 40 mm.
The equipment includes a 3D cutting head for weld seam preparation, an automatic 8-position nozzle changer, and an integrated drilling unit with 21 kW of power. This unit enables drilling up to 30 mm in diameter in material thicknesses up to 25 mm, as well as thread cutting up to M20. An automatic 6-position tool changer handles tool changes. The system is complemented by a mixed-gas console from Hoerbiger, which makes cutting even thicker materials more cost-effective.
The system also includes the ACTG automatic calibration unit. It detects mechanical changes to the cutting support and automatically compensates for any deviations in the cutting head’s position. This allows the machine operator to resume machining without having to perform another manual calibration after the cutting head collides with the workpiece.
© Microstep Europa
Greater Flexibility in the Manufacturing Process
According to MFV Maschinenbau, the system produces batch sizes ranging from one to 1,000 components. As the managing director explains, the large machining format helps reduce material waste. At the same time, the combination of laser cutting, chamfering, drilling, and thread cutting allows multiple machining steps to be combined into a single setup. This shortens turnaround times and reduces the number of downstream machining steps.
In addition to the technical specifications, project management also played a role in the investment decision, according to Microstep. From planning through commissioning, the facility was implemented according to schedule. Due to its proximity to the German service center in Berlin, service calls can be carried out on short notice.
With this investment, MFV Maschinenbau GmbH has expanded its capabilities in the cutting of large-format components. The combination of laser cutting, weld preparation, and drilling and threading enables comprehensive machining right from the cutting stage and adds another manufacturing process to the existing oxy-fuel and plasma cutting systems.
Web:
www.microstep.com
