Executive Summary
• Gantry-type CNC machine, with an effective cutting width of 3,000 mm and an effective cutting length of 12,000 mm.
• COLT 3D technology for rapid piercing and high-precision cutting of carbon steel plates up to 200 mm for straight cuts and up to 120 mm for bevel cuts.
• COLT composite system which reduces piercing times compared to conventional oxy-fuel cutting and improves process stability on thick plates.
• Includes BODA F8200 CNC system, BODA FLCAM software, AGC800 automatic gas control unit, MAX 3 kW laser and HANLI cooling system.
1. Introduction to BODA
For over 24 years, BODA has specialised in the development and manufacture of CNC thermal cutting machines, focusing exclusively on plasma, flame and combined process solutions for industrial applications.
This specialisation has enabled the company to establish a comprehensive range of CNC cutting equipment, with in-house development in control systems, motion control, gas automation and cutting heads.
The company integrates research and development, production, sales and service, and holds patents for inventions, utility models and high-tech products. Furthermore, it has been recognised in China as a technological research centre for metal-cutting machine tools, maintaining technical collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
https://www.bodamachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7340f850f4f4c031dfc9.jpg
2. BODA COLT 3D
2.1 Background to the proceedings
When cutting thick carbon steel plates, particularly those over 40 mm, traditional flame cutting requires lengthy preheating times to initiate the piercing process. This reduces productivity, increases the workpiece’s thermal exposure and can cause significant deformation of the material.
COLT technology combines the speed of laser-assisted piercing with the efficiency of flame cutting.
The laser enables rapid penetration of the material and stabilises the start of the cut; the flame process then completes the cut with reduced dwell time and greater consistency in medium and thick plates.
https://www.bodamachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/74be44ca4797883c38a1.jpg
2.2 Scope of application
The solution is recommended for carbon steel and low-alloy steels that are prone to oxidation, with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 200 mm. Its optimal performance range is between 30 and 120 mm, where the laser-flame combination offers a particularly significant productivity advantage.
• Applications: heavy machinery, steel structures, shipyards, engineering workshops, mining, metal fabrication and industrial cutting of thick plates.
• Operational objective: to improve piercing times, reduce reliance on manual adjustments and increase process repeatability.
• Expected outcome: higher productivity per plate, better cross-section quality and lower energy costs compared to high-power laser alternatives.
3. Technical Advantages of COLT Technology
|
Benefits |
Impact in the Operation |
| Fast piercing of thick plates | COLT pierces 100 mm carbon steel in approximately 8 seconds. By way of comparison, a 60 kW pure laser takes around 15 seconds, whilst a pure flame may take between 3 and 5 minutes. |
| High cross-sectional accuracy | The cross-sectional verticality error is close to 1 mm, and the cut is burr-free under suitable process conditions. |
| Energy efficiency | Energy consumption is approximately one-tenth of that required by a 60 kW laser; total consumption can be reduced by around 25 per cent. |
| Increased productivity with thick plates | Cutting efficiency in thick plates can increase by approximately 20 per cent, with material savings of over 10 per cent depending on the application. |
| Process automation | Automatic adjustment of thickness and parameters, process library, piercing and automatic slag removal for inner plates up to 120 mm thick. |
4. Comparison of Piercing Efficiency
|
Material |
Thickness (mm) |
COLT (seg) |
Oxy- cutting (seg) |
| Carbon Steel |
50 |
1,5 |
40-50 |
| Carbon Steel |
60 |
3 |
50-60 |
| Carbon Steel |
80 |
5 |
60-80 |
| Carbon Steel |
100 |
8 |
90-100 |
| Carbon Steel |
120 |
10 |
110-120 |
| Carbon Steel |
150 |
11 |
130-150 |
| Carbon Steel |
180 |
18 |
150-170 |
| Carbon Steel |
200 |
30 |
180 |



5. Configuration
|
No. |
Item |
Qty |
Description |
|
1 |
Main machine |
4000S |
Double drive Gantry |
|
2 |
Machine tool travel extension |
4000 mm |
Effective: 3000 mm |
|
3 |
Machine tool travel length |
16000 mm |
Effective : 12000 mm |
|
4 |
Automatic Nest programming software |
1 |
BODA FLCAM, China |
|
5 |
Gantry structure |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
6 |
Rotary station |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
7 |
COLT head |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
8 |
Laser generator |
1 |
MAX 3 kW, China |
|
9 |
Water-cooling system |
1 |
HAN LI 3 kW, China |
|
10 |
Automatic gas console for flame cutting |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
11 |
Capacitive automatic height controller |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
12 |
CNC system |
1 |
BODA F8200 |
|
13 |
Transverse and longitudinal pneumatic cable drive |
1 |
Dragging chain KODUCT, Corea |
|
14 |
AC servo motor |
6 |
HUI CHUAN, China |
|
15 |
Gearbox |
6 |
TAI KE, China |
|
16 |
Rotary structure |
1 |
BODA, China |
|
17 |
Longitudinal rail |
Set |
U71Mn, 50 kg |
|
18 |
Transverse linear rail |
Set |
Linear Guide |
|
19 |
Power supply cabinet |
1 |
Modular design |
|
20 |
Air conditioning for CNC |
1 |
China |
|
21 |
Voltage stabiliser for CNC |
1 |
China |
|
22 |
Alarm light |
1 |
China |
|
23 |
Cutting process |
1 |
COLT 3D |