World's First Robotic Plasma Cutter Seamlessly and Continuously Processes Profile & Pipe . . .

Walter Langlois Applies New European Software for Multi Task

The world’s first robotic plasma system capable of handling pipe and structural profiles without breaking stride is under development by Walter Langlois of Machinery Services in New Zealand’s Marlborough region. The need for a process to handle seamlessly both profile and pipe became evident with the increasing proportion of major public structure tenders that rely on pipe.

According to Walter Langlois this new level of automation has been made possible through the application of proprietary European software. It is this software that eliminates the intermediary steps involved in the currently used processes of switching between pipe and profile. He estimates that his consolidated cutter will do the work normally done by five different machines

The multi role plasma cutter is destined for a major structural steel fabricator in the North Island which sought a cost-effective process solution to the increasing volume of pipe specifying. The new all-in-one plasma system is expected to be commissioned in April 2015.

Mr Langlois has been responsible for automated tractor-mounted equipment for vineyard applications. These applications include vine stripping, vine shredding, tying, pruning, and weeding. These met the grower demand for cost-effective handling along with the need to reduce injuries incurred during the traditional labour intensive hands-on methods.