Laser welding for sheet metal production

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2015-07-13 17:40:17

The new TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition TRUMPF is tailored specifically to the entry into laser welding in sheet metal production. It is cheaper than its big sister TruLaser Robot 5020, takes up less space and still produces seams with excellent surface quality and high-strength, narrow and deep seams in all conceivable types of seams. The compact and affordable robotic system has six axes and welded steel, stainless steel and aluminium to four millimeters sheet thickness in the best reproducible quality. Components up to a size of 1200 x 800 x 600 mm can be processed without any problems. For optimum productivity and utilization of the system of rotation-axis positioner that allows a complete 3-D-machining of components with good accessibility makes.

Available is the TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition in two versions cost. Who ordered as a complete system including laser, the machine receives a TruDiode diode direct lasers. Due to its efficiency of 40 percent, users benefit in addition to the reduced starting price of the plant addition of low operating costs. Even at face cost saves the user, as this solution has a much smaller footprint.

Are the company already has a punch-laser machine or a 2-D laser cutting machine with TruDisk solid state lasers available, the second variant offers. Because the laser can within its laser network another system, for example, the TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition, provide. This reduces the investment costs for the laser welding solution by up to 50 percent and ensures optimal utilization of the beam source. The TruDisk switches within milliseconds of the punch-laser or laser cutting machine for robot welding cell. Setup or tool change times of the cutting machine can be as efficient use of the laser welding.

Whoever takes the step and invests in the 5020 Basic Edition TruLaser Robot, increases with the laser welding on to an entirely new quality class sheet metal processing. This starts with the outstanding seam quality. In particular, the heat conduction process creates welds with excellent surface quality. In order to succeed visible seams without any rework. And since the laser welding less heat penetrates into the component, there is little delay. Thus, in addition the subsequent straightening omitted.

A further advantage of the method is the high strength of the weld. Here scores deep penetration welding, since in this welding process produces high strength, narrow and deep seams that also hold significantly better than conventional welds. While conventional welded sheets in experiments tear on the Zugprüfstand a Materialprüfungsanstalt exception in the field of welding, holds the laser weld. Here the tensile specimens crack in the base material. This shows that the tensile strength of a laser weld seam is not only higher than that of a conventional weld, it is even higher than that of materials.

In terms of flexibility and speed convinced the laser. In particular, the deep penetration welding, the laser reaches a speed of up to five meters per minute. It also provides all conceivable types of joint and geometries - even if the to be welded area is only accessible from one side. The laser welded lap joints, a concealed T-joint or even different thickness materials, opening up a wealth of new possibilities in the design of components.

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