TPT September 2016

T E CHNOLOG Y

Making laser welding an easy investment for subcontractors

reductions of up to 50 per cent are possible. Laser welding offers benefits over other joining methods and enables subcontractors to add value to the service they provide with design consultancy to maximise the qualities of

TO make the decision to adopt laser welding technology easier, Trumpf has introduced the compact TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition with TruDiode laser, which the company claims can reduce the initial outlay by up to 20 per cent and, where a laser network is used,

the process. As a result, subcontractors can establish themselves as partners for product development. A laser-welded seam is virtually indestructible and requires no secondary finishing. As the process introduces less heat into the workpiece, there is hardly any distortion, eliminating the need for subsequent levelling. All types of weld can be accomplished with laser, and the different types have distinct advantages. Heat conduction welding, for example, results in seams with excellent surface quality. Deep penetration welding creates a high- strength, narrow and deep seam that has a higher tensile strength than a conventionally welded seam. Both methods also allow higher processing speeds. Another benefit with laser welding is that expensive fixtures are only necessary for complex parts and in exceptional cases. The clamping technology can often be manufactured with simple sheet metal designs and standardised parts. The entry-level system TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition from Trumpf has a footprint of just 30m 2 and includes everything needed to perform automated deep penetration and heat conduction welding in mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium up to 4mm thick. The rotate and tilt positioner further boosts productivity. The laser network option allows the TruLaser Robot 5020 Basic Edition to tap in to the beam source of a nearby Trumpf punch laser machine or 2D laser machine, saving the cost of the TruDiode laser.

Trumpf Ltd – UK Website: www.uk.trumpf.com

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S eptember 2016