Amada FBLC-3015 AJ

MARS (Multi-Tasking Automation with Robotic Systems) is Amada's modular automation tower system for laser cutting cells. The MARS tower stores multiple pallets of raw sheet, automatically loads sheets into the laser cutting machine, retrieves cut parts and skeletons, and sorts finished parts to output stations. Combined with the FBLC-3015 AJ's automatic job change capability, a MARS-equipped cell can run unattended through an entire production shift, processing multiple different jobs without operator intervention.

The AMNC 3i control's automated process management handles material transitions within a nested program. When the cutting path moves from one material zone to another (e.g., 3mm mild steel to 6mm stainless on the same sheet), the AJ system automatically switches nozzle diameter, adjusts focus position, changes assist gas (oxygen to nitrogen), and updates cutting parameters without stopping. This enables truly mixed-material sheets that would require extensive operator intervention on conventional laser machines.

The FBLC-3015 AJ is available in 4 kW and 6 kW fiber laser configurations. The 4 kW version is well-suited for fabricators whose primary work is thin to medium sheet (up to 12 mm mild steel) with good economics. The 6 kW version extends thick-plate capability and increases cutting speed on medium thicknesses. Higher power (9 kW+) configurations are available through Amada's ENSIS technology on the ENSIS 3015 AJ model.

Both machines use fiber laser technology and share the AJ automation package, but they differ in beam architecture. The ENSIS uses Amada's proprietary resonator-free Variable Beam Control technology that morphs the beam for optimal performance across all thicknesses — particularly thick plate. The FBLC uses a conventional high-brightness fiber laser source and is optimized for thin-to-medium sheet at high throughput. The ENSIS commands a 20-30% price premium. For shops whose primary work is thin sheet with high automation requirements, the FBLC offers better value.

A laser cutting machine running 16+ unattended hours (overnight plus weekends) can effectively triple or quadruple its productive output versus a single-shift manually-tended operation using the same machine. For a $600K-$900K FBLC-3015 AJ investment, the incremental revenue from unattended production typically generates payback periods of 3-5 years. The key enabling factor is the AJ system's ability to process multi-job schedules without operator touchpoints — manual machines cannot achieve this regardless of automation tower investment.