GF Machining CHARMILLES LASER S 500
Image: assets.georgfischer.com, GF Machining Solutions
Key Specifications
Table Size
x y z travel
axis configuration
max workpiece weight
nanosecond laser
femtosecond laser
How much does the GF Machining CHARMILLES LASER S 500 cost?
Estimated price range
Our best estimate for a cnc laser cutting machine in this class — not a quote from GF Machining Solutions. Configuration moves it a long way.
Overview
The CHARMILLES LASER S 500 is a 3-axis laser texturing machine with 550 x 400 x 500 mm of X, Y and Z travel, a 590 x 470 mm table and a 60 kg workpiece limit. It takes one or two laser sources, nanosecond and femtosecond, and the figures on this page are the listed ones.
The source configuration is what sets the S 500 apart. The nanosecond Flexipulse IR is listed at 50W or 100W; the femtosecond Femto Flexipulse at 20 W IR, 40 W IR or 40 W IR-GR. A dual-source machine pairs one Femto IR with one Nano IR, so the bulk of a texture can be removed with nanosecond pulses and the final pass made with the femtosecond source, which puts far less heat into the surface. Listed lenses are F163 for the M85 IR head and FSTC70/FSTC130 for M85 IR-GR.
With three axes, the S 500 works on faces presented flat or nearly flat to the beam: plates, inserts, electrodes and parts up to 60 kg. The 5-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U shares the 550 x 400 x 500 mm travels but adds rotary axes and drops to 15 kg of workpiece.
Control is a Beckhoff C6640 industrial PC with SPOT software on a 21.5 in multi-touch display. The site needs 15 kVA, air at 6-8 bar with up to 300 L/min, and an installation space of 3,600 x 2,500 mm for a 4,000 kg machine measuring 2174 x 1387 x 2556 mm.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X Y Z Travel | 550 x 400 x 500 mm (21.7 x 15.7 x 19.7 in) |
| Table Size | 590 x 470 mm (23.2 x 18.5 in) |
| Axis Configuration | 3-axis (X/Y/Z) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 60 kg (132 lb) |
| Nanosecond Laser | 50W / 100W Flexipulse IR |
| Femtosecond Laser | 20W / 40W Femto Flexipulse IR / IR-GR |
| Source Configuration | Single or dual source |
| CNC Control | Beckhoff C6640 Industrial PC |
| Software | SPOT |
| Display | 21.5 in multi-touch LED |
| Electrical Supply | 15 kVA |
| Air Supply | 6-8 bar, max. 300 L/min |
| Installation Space | 3,600 x 2,500 mm (141.7 x 98.4 in) |
| Machine Weight | 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) |
| Machine Dimensions | 2174 x 1387 x 2556 mm85.59 x 54.60 x 100.63 in |
| Approx Machine Weight | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Machine Footprint | 3600 x 2500 mm141.73 x 98.42 in |
| Nominal Power | 15 kVA |
| Air Pressure | 6 to 8 bar0.6 to 0.8 MPa |
| Required Output Flow | Max. 300 l/min |
| Type | Beckhoff Industrial PC (C6640) |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC |
| Screen | Multi-Touch LED 21.5’’ display |
| User Interface | SPOT |
| Table Dimensions | 590 x 470 mm23.23 x 18.50 in |
| Table T Slots | Check layout |
| Dist Table Found Plate | LASER S 500: 818 mm (32.20 in)LASER S 500 U: 764 mm (30.08 in) |
| Num Axes | 3 (LASER S 500)5 (LASER S 500 U) |
| X Axis Travel | 550 mm (21.65 in) |
| Y Axis Travel | 400 mm (15.75 in) |
| Z Axis Travel | 500 mm (19.68 in) |
| B Axis Travel | -110/+110 (LASER S 500 U) |
| C Axis Travel | 0/+720 (LASER S 500 U) |
| Max Workpiece Laser S 500 | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Max Workpiece Laser S 500 U | 15 kg (33 lbs) |
| Max Permissible Inertia | 0.17 kg.m² |
| M85 Ir Lens | F163 |
| M85 Ir Gr Lens | FSTC70/FSTC130 |
| Number of Laser Sources | 1 or 2 (1 Femto IR only + 1 Nano IR) |
| Laser Gf Femto Flexipulse | 20 W IR/40 W IR/40 W IR-GR |
| Laser Nano Flexipulse | 50 W IR/100 W IR |
Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Single or dual source: nanosecond 50W / 100W Flexipulse IR and femtosecond 20W / 40W Femto Flexipulse
- 60 kg workpiece limit, against 15 kg on the 5-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U
- 590 x 470 mm table over 550 x 400 x 500 mm of travel
- Femtosecond option at 40 W in IR or IR-GR
- Installation space of 3,600 x 2,500 mm for a 4,000 kg machine
Limitations
- Three axes only: curved and undercut surfaces need the 5-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U
- A two-source build is limited to one Femto IR plus one Nano IR
- Needs 15 kVA and compressed air at 6-8 bar, up to 300 L/min
- Workpieces are limited to 60 kg
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Both have 550 x 400 x 500 mm of travel and a 590 x 470 mm table. The S 500 has 3 axes and takes workpieces up to 60 kg. The CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U adds two rotary axes, a +/- 110° tilt and 720° of rotation, and its 5-axis workpiece limit is 15 kg.
02
One or two. The nanosecond Flexipulse IR is listed at 50W or 100W, and the femtosecond Femto Flexipulse at 20 W IR, 40 W IR or 40 W IR-GR. A two-source machine pairs one Femto IR with one Nano IR.
03
15 kVA of electrical supply, compressed air at 6-8 bar with up to 300 L/min, and an installation space of 3,600 x 2,500 mm. The machine weighs 4,000 kg and measures 2174 x 1387 x 2556 mm.
04
A Beckhoff C6640 industrial PC running Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC, with SPOT as the user interface on a 21.5 in multi-touch LED display.