Welding System utilizes choice of CO2 slab lasers.
May 9, 2008 -
Featuring working envelope of 1,500 x 2,000 mm and typical indexing times under 50 ms between weld stitches, Remote Welding System (RWS) uses CO2 slab laser system mounted above working area, on gantry, with laser beam delivered via mirrors. Complete system is enclosed by perimeter safety guarding and can operate continuously on 3-shift pattern. Approximately 20 million welding cycles, equating to more than 300 km of weld joint, can be generated without replacing any wear parts.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Rofin-Baasel Inc.
330 Codman Hill Rd.
Boxborough, MA, 01719
USA
Rofin CO2 Slab Lasers Power the New Rofin Remote Welding System (RWS)
Rofin CO2 slab lasers have built an enviable reputation for ease of use, high reliability and low maintenance. These laser sources, with their attributes of high power and excellent beam quality, continue to be used in new and innovative ways.
Speed, efficiency and a large working envelope
The latest innovation from Rofin to incorporate these efficient and reliable laser sources is the Remote Welding System (RWS) (Fig.1). The Remote Welding System concept has the laser system mounted above the working area, on a gantry, with the laser beam being delivered to the working area below by a series of mirrors. The complete system is enclosed by perimeter safety guarding allowing for safe and easy operation.
Depending upon the application being considered, the system can incorporate one of a range of CO2 slab lasers available from Rofin. One option available is the Rofin DC 060W, a CO2 Slab laser with an average output power of 6kW and beam quality factor of K>0.9. This laser can produce a spot diameter of 600 µm for the longest focal length offered of 1600 mm. The nearly perfectly Gaussian beam of the Rofin slab laser gives a depth of focus measured in tens of millimetres and the effective working envelope of the RWS has now been increased to 1500 mm × 2000 mm, driven by the need to enhance application flexibility. Placing the beam-steering mirror on an independent high-speed linear-motor driven axis further extends the overall travel of the focusing lens thus further increasing the working envelope in the "Y" axis. This ability to determine the position of the beam steering mirror provides even greater flexibility for the operator when programming around clamping fixtures and part tooling.
The high powered motion motors, together with increased processing power in the motion controls, now gives typical indexing times of less than 50 ms between weld stitches. This improved performance is further augmented by the high power available, up to 6 kW in the case of the DC 060W, with this combination producing the highest welding speeds to date.
The rapid traverse motion between individual processing points, described as "rapid move", sets new standards with regard to speed of operation in multiple spot weld applications. The high speed capabilities of the RWS enable a considerable reduction in cycle times when compared to traditional methods of spot welding. The "rapid move" concept also improves machine availability and process optimisation. With the capability to operate continuously on a three shift pattern, approximately 20 million welding cycles equating to more than 300km of weld joint, can be generated without replacing any of the typical system wear parts. Traditional spot welding processes which use multiple axes and multiple spot welding guns cannot achieve these levels of efficiency and speed.
Space saving concept
The concept of mounting the laser source on a gantry above the work area means that the system occupies the minimum of floor space whilst providing a large processing area. This concept is ideally suited to applications within the automotive industry where large "body in white" components can be easily processed within the system.
Reliable and predictable technology in a demanding world
The demanding nature of the automotive industry in particular is well known, and Rofin CO2 slab lasers already have a history of operating within this environment 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The reliability and low maintenance characteristics of these lasers ensure high uptimes and predictable performance.
Rofin offers a complete range of lasers including YAG, Vanadate and Fibre Lasers. Rofin also provides solutions for laser marking and cutting applications.
For Further Information Please Contact :-
Mr Andrew May
Rofin-Baasel UK Limited
Sopwith Way
Daventry
Northants NN11 8PB
Telephone - +44(0)1327 701 100
Fax - +44(0)1327 701 110
E-mail - sales@rofin-baasel.co.uk
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