TimeLine

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1989... E.L.A.S. (European Laser Application Systems) is founded with the purpose of expanding the line of sheet metal working machinery produced by the HACO Group with standardized flat-bed laser cutting equipment.

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1993... By this time ELAS already has a significant installed base of the FLY1 type of machine, a classic type of cutting table equipped with a free-standing VFA laser source in 1200, 1750, 2000 and 2500W versions. Meanwhile, Wegmann-Baasel Laser have finished their TRIAGON laser, and the decision is made to develop a monoblock type of machine incorporating both laser source (OEM version ELAGON) and chiller unit, resulting in a compact, easy-to-install machine: FLY2. Three versions are produced: FLY2-LMB (3x1.5m), FLY2-XLB (4x2) and FLY2-OLB (4x1.5), with a choice of Triagon 1750, 2000 and 2550W. At the same time the numerical controls are upgraded from Fanuc OM to Fanuc 16MA.

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1997... In step with the evolving demands put on laser processing a new generation of the FLY machines is developed, again upgrading the numerical controls to Fanuc 16MB, standardizing the machine width to 2000mm, upgrading laser power to 3550W, replacing the factory-provided transmissive beam expander by a customized reflective telescope to handle the increased power, adding autofocus capability to the cutting head,…the FLY3-LMB (3x2), FLY3-OLB (4x2) and ultimately the FLY3-OGB (6x2) were at the time at the forefront of flat-bed laser cutting technology.

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1998... While production of the FLY3 generation is being streamlined, and in line with the basic HACO philosophy of vertical integration and uniformity of machine design throughout the group, the decision is made to develop a laser source in-house, and switch from Fanuc controls to Siemens. Service and (re-)installation of FLY machines is shifted from ELAS to HSC (Haco Service Company), who till today continue to service the FLY machines, VFA and Triagon laser sources (Contact).

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2000... To celebrate the 35^th anniversary of HACO a grand open-house is organised in the exposition halls in Roeselare, home to the group’s headquarters. At this occasion, the first laser cutting machine equipped with the ELAS laser source is presented to the public. Even if it looks very familiar to the previous generation of machines from the outside, it is fundamentally different from the FLY range (ELAS source, Siemens numerical controls), so it is decided to abandon the FLY nomenclature and the machine is henceforth known as ‘Raptor.’

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