Automated laser systems for high volume production sheet metal application

Abstract

Laser systems with moving optics and on-line monitoring device have been employed to laser beam butt weld sheet steel in an industrial high volume production environment. These systems consist of a fully automated material handling, an edge preparation station, a part inspection, a welding and quality inspection subsystems and components. Intense factory automation developments to improve upon both the “beam on workpiece” cycle time and the overall production flexibility and efficiency, have resulted in newly designed so called Konti-machines, capable of processing parts “continuously”; the integration of a Konti-machine in a fully automated laser blank welding system has resulted in actual ”beam on workpiece” time being more than 90% of the total cycle time. A fully automated laser system for coil optimization has also been developed and implemented. This computer controlled, menu driven system can laser cut and butt weld sheet steel coils of different sizes and grades. This paper will discuss all the above mentioned laser systems. The process variables that dictate the integration of multi-discipline components to laser systems automation are described.Laser systems with moving optics and on-line monitoring device have been employed to laser beam butt weld sheet steel in an industrial high volume production environment. These systems consist of a fully automated material handling, an edge preparation station, a part inspection, a welding and quality inspection subsystems and components. Intense factory automation developments to improve upon both the “beam on workpiece” cycle time and the overall production flexibility and efficiency, have resulted in newly designed so called Konti-machines, capable of processing parts “continuously”; the integration of a Konti-machine in a fully automated laser blank welding system has resulted in actual ”beam on workpiece” time being more than 90% of the total cycle time. A fully automated laser system for coil optimization has also been developed and implemented. This computer controlled, menu driven system can laser cut and butt weld sheet steel coils of different sizes and grades. This paper will discuss all the ab...