Berlin-based Strahlkraft Lasertechnik (SKLT) is introducing a new technology for laser joining that can handle even thick steel and aluminum sheets. "The process closes a technology gap for laser use with plate thicknesses of up to 10 mm and offers a high-performance alternative to the electric arc process, which have been commonly used," said a company spokesperson.
Laser multi-wire technology (LMWT) is based on a laser processing head from Berl Scansonic and refined by SKLT engineers for this application. The principle is as follows: At the process point, several filler wires converge and are simultaneously melted by an oscillating laser beam. This allows seams of up to 10 mm in width to be created in a single operation, depending on the number of filler wires used and the process parameters.
A smart control concept provides wire drive synchronization and optimum energy distribution at the seam. An auto-focus keeps the spot size constant, even when component position shifts. "The new process thus functions smoothly, even under erratic joining conditions," said the spokesperson.
LMWT expands the list of possible applications for the laser, which is already a highly flexible tool. "Among laser joining's advantages are high process speeds and low thermal distortion," said the spokesperson. "But so far, this has required relatively gap-free positioning of the two pieces to be joined. Low gap widths (up to about 1 mm) could be compensated for with a single filler wire. Larger gap widths or thicker plates ruled out the use of a laser, however. The alternative, the electric arc process, is much slower and the thermal distortion greater. LMWT thus has clear advantages over conventional solutions."
New Fields of Application
What makes LMWT especially interesting is its usefulness in creating fillet welds at T-joints or lap joints with steel or aluminum materials that require large adhesion widths or seam volumes. "We see a wide range of LMWT applications for users who previously could not enjoy the advantages of the laser," said Carsten Rösler, SKLT's Managing Director. "Those users certainly include companies that manufacture ships, construction machines and railway vehicles, companies from steel building and offshore technology, and manufacturers of machine frames and containers. The clear quality advantages of joining aluminum make LMWT an attractive option for battery compartments in electrical vehicles as well. Process developers and research facilities benefit from the tool's flexibility."
An additional feature of the LMWT process is its efficiency in applying individual homogenous layers during surface finishing. All materials available in wire form can be used in such processes.
For more information contact:
SKLT GmbH
info@sklt.de
www.sklt.de