GF Laser S

The Laser S is GF Machining Solutions' laser texturing and micro-machining platform: a machine with 5 CNC axes (X, Y, Z and two rotary) that uses a fiber or short-pulse laser to put textures, engravings and micro features onto surfaces, mostly on moulds. This page covers the line as a whole, and its maximum workpiece size row simply says that it varies by configuration.

The table positions the process as a replacement for chemical etching and mechanical texturing. For a mould shop that changes three things: no acid baths or masking, a texture that can be reproduced from a digital file on the next tool, and a pattern that follows the surface on all five axes instead of being applied by hand. Feature resolution is described as in the single-digit micron range.

Automatic alignment and measurement of the workpiece is listed, which is what lets a texture be placed correctly on a part that was clamped by hand. The software row reads GF proprietary texture design and CAM, so texture data is prepared in GF's own environment rather than in a general CAM system. The work area is enclosed with fume extraction.

Because the table gives no travels, weights or laser powers, it cannot be used to size a machine. The figures for individual sizes sit on their own pages, for example the LASER S 500 U with 550 mm of X travel and a 15 kg five-axis limit. The data here has not been matched to a current GF page.