GF Machining CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U
Image: assets.georgfischer.com, GF Machining Solutions
Key Specifications
Table Size
x y z travel
b axis table rotation
c axis tilt
max workpiece weight 5 axis
max inertia 5 axis
How much does the GF Machining CHARMILLES LASER S 500 U 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 U is the 5-axis version of the CHARMILLES LASER S 500. It keeps the 550 x 400 x 500 mm of travel and the 590 x 470 mm table, and adds two rotary axes: a tilt of +/- 110° and a table rotation of 720°. The figures on this page are the listed ones.
Those rotary axes change both what the machine is for and what it can carry. In 5-axis work the workpiece limit is 15 kg and the permissible inertia 0.17 kg.m², where the 3-axis S 500 takes 60 kg. That points the S 500 U at small, complex parts: mould inserts with textured side walls, cylindrical parts with a pattern around their circumference, components that need structure on several faces in one clamping. Inertia matters as much as weight here, since a light but wide fixture can reach 0.17 kg.m² long before the part reaches 15 kg.
The 720° rotation lets a pattern run continuously around a part without unwinding the axis halfway, and the +/- 110° tilt reaches past vertical in both directions, so undercut faces are within reach.
Sources are shared with the 3-axis model: a nanosecond Flexipulse IR of 50W or 100W, a femtosecond Femto Flexipulse of 20W or 40W in IR or IR-GR, or one of each. Control is a Beckhoff C6640 industrial PC running SPOT, and the 4,000 kg machine needs 15 kVA, air at 6-8 bar and 3,600 x 2,500 mm of floor.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X Y Z Travel | 550 x 400 x 500 mm (21.7 x 15.7 x 19.7 in) |
| B Axis Table Rotation | 720° (0° / +720°) |
| C Axis Tilt | +/- 110° |
| Table Size | 590 x 470 mm (23.2 x 18.5 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight 5 Axis | 15 kg (33 lb) |
| Max Inertia 5 Axis | 0.17 kg.m² |
| 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
- Two rotary axes, +/- 110° of tilt and 720° of rotation, for texturing several faces in one setup
- Same 550 x 400 x 500 mm travel and 590 x 470 mm table as the 3-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500
- Nanosecond and femtosecond sources can be combined on one machine
- 720° of rotation lets a pattern run continuously around a cylindrical part
Limitations
- 5-axis workpiece limit is 15 kg, against 60 kg on the 3-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500
- Permissible inertia of 0.17 kg.m² restricts wide parts and large fixtures
- Needs 15 kVA, 6-8 bar air at up to 300 L/min and 3,600 x 2,500 mm of installation space
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
In 5-axis work, 15 kg with a maximum permissible inertia of 0.17 kg.m². The 3-axis CHARMILLES LASER S 500 takes 60 kg. With a wide part or fixture the inertia limit may be reached before the weight limit, so calculate both.
02
One axis tilts +/- 110° and the other rotates through 720°. Together they present any face of a small part to the beam, including side walls and undercuts within the tilt range, without reclamping.
03
A nanosecond Flexipulse IR at 50W or 100W, a femtosecond Femto Flexipulse at 20W or 40W in IR or IR-GR, or a pair of one Femto IR and one Nano IR. Listed lenses are F163 for M85 IR and FSTC70/FSTC130 for M85 IR-GR.
04
A 15 kVA supply, air at 6-8 bar with up to 300 L/min, and 3,600 x 2,500 mm of floor space. The 4,000 kg machine measures 2174 x 1387 x 2556 mm and runs on a Beckhoff C6640 industrial PC with SPOT software.
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