Tongkuai will launch a new laser welding system on euroblech, guiding the laser

Tongkuai will launch a new system at euroblech 2022 (Hannover, Germany) to improve the quality and stability of laser welding. According to tongkuai, at present, the only way to guide the laser beam in the welding process is through the welding robot, but tongkuai's new brightline scan aims to let users guide the laser beam with a laser scanner.

The combination of the robot and the scanner will make it possible to supplement the forward movement of the robot with further freely programmable movement of the laser in any desired direction. This "oscillatory motion" is facilitated by the use of specially developed lightweight mirrors. By achieving a scanning frequency in the range of kilohertz, this new technology doubles the thickness of plates that can be processed in heat conduction welding, from 3 mm to 6 mm.

This new technology allows users to customize the bonding surface of parts -- directly melted by a laser beam -- to suit each specific application. This makes the process more reliable and produces higher quality parts. Martin Geiger, product manager of tongkuai, said, "brightline scan is another example of how we provide industry-related solutions by focusing on the needs of sheet metal manufacturers. Tighter tolerances in the welding process mean less scrap, faster processing and lower costs. "

Picture source: tongkuai

Dual approach

In brightline scan, the task of guiding the laser beam through the laser scanner is completed by the programmable PFO 20 focusing optical lens group of tongkuai, which is integrated into the welding optical lens group of the robot. The combination of robot and scanner is used to guide the beam, which greatly improves the robustness and flexibility of the laser welding process.

Geiger said, "in the past, we had to put the laser beam directly above the joint to ensure high-quality welding. If you deviate from the correct position by a millimeter, or even less, this part often has to be scrapped. But now, the beam can also be guided by the scanner, making it easier to achieve stricter tolerances. This makes it possible to correct any minor inaccuracies in previous steps such as bending. "

This new technology provides a solution for welding plates up to 6mm thick, which makes it especially suitable for agricultural and construction machinery. The high precision and quality of the seam also make it an effective choice for manufacturing furniture products, electric vehicle battery trays and electrical cabinets.

At euroblech, tongkuai will also show its eco cooler, a sustainable cooling solution for laser cutting machines. The traditional cooling system uses fluorinated gas as coolant, which has several disadvantages: the cooling process consumes a lot of energy, and the treatment of these fluorinated gases brings a burden to the environment.

Source: OFweek