Guidelines for profitable laser processing – A perspective of Ruukki metals’ Uusikaupunki service centre in Finland

Abstract

Ruukki Metals’ steel mill in Raahe is focusing on the manufacturing of special steels like ultra-high-strength and wear-resistant steels with yield strengths of up to 1500 MPa. Ruukki Metals’ steel service centre in Uusikaupunki processes further steels using CO2-laser welding. Originally, the service centre was established in 2003 under the name Mizar, specialising in the mass production of laser-welded steel sandwich panels used for ship building and the construction industry. Unfortunately, these industries were too conservative to utilise new innovations, which lead to financial problems for the company. Ruukki Metals Oy bought the company in 2008, and the business strategy changed and the laser welding of special steels was started. Essential processes of the unit are consistently managed according to the ISO 3834-2 (Welding operation management), EN 15085-2 (Railway applications. welding of railway vehicles and components), EN 1090-2 (Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures), ISO 9001 (Quality management systems) and ISO 14001 (Environment management system) standards. The profitable production is based on skilled and motivated personnel undertaking regular training and having a wide-range of qualifications. The management of the unit is systematic, targeting of continuous quality management, tight budgeting and monitoring of potential savings. The success of the chosen business strategy and management of operations is realised through the high quality of the products: tens of thousands of laser-welded products with extremely high levels of customer satisfaction. The welding is guided by a growing number of welding procedure specifications based on the ISO 15614-11 (Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials) and ISO 13919-1 (Laser beam welded joints, Guidance on quality levels for imperfections) standards.Ruukki Metals’ steel mill in Raahe is focusing on the manufacturing of special steels like ultra-high-strength and wear-resistant steels with yield strengths of up to 1500 MPa. Ruukki Metals’ steel service centre in Uusikaupunki processes further steels using CO2-laser welding. Originally, the service centre was established in 2003 under the name Mizar, specialising in the mass production of laser-welded steel sandwich panels used for ship building and the construction industry. Unfortunately, these industries were too conservative to utilise new innovations, which lead to financial problems for the company. Ruukki Metals Oy bought the company in 2008, and the business strategy changed and the laser welding of special steels was started. Essential processes of the unit are consistently managed according to the ISO 3834-2 (Welding operation management), EN 15085-2 (Railway applications. welding of railway vehicles and components), EN 1090-2 (Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures), ISO 9001...