Laser deposition welding and milling in a single machine

The five-axis, computer-controlled milling center can now perform two jobs: Three-dimensional deposition welding using a 1.5-kilowatt diode laser and component finishing using 5-axis milling.

The IWS’s manufacturing experts will be exhibiting their two-in-one machining solution on the joint Fraunhofer stand at the EUROMOLD trade show in Frankfurt from December 3 to 6, 2008 (Hall 8, Stand L113).

»We linked all the processing steps on the basis of uniform CAD and NC data, and implemented them in a single machine with one tool fixture,« relates Dr.-Ing. Steffen Nowotny of the IWS in Dresden. The 5-axis CNC milling center is ideal for performing repairs on mold inserts used to manufacture plastic components, and for machining finely structured surfaces and functional coatings on metallic components.

Instead of having to discard damaged precision tools, they can now be returned to the workshop, reprocessed by the laser welding and milling machine, and reused – thus saving costs and reducing expenditure on new tools.

The combination of laser cladding and milling is also a cost-effective method of manufacturing complex molds and metallic components directly from the 3-D CAD model. The machining system’s high degree of automation and its multitasking capability are extremely useful attributes in applications such as aircraft engine maintenance and automobile construction: »The software links together all the individual processes. This simplifies and speeds up the task of programming the machine,« says Nowotny.

The use of a complete machining solution significantly improves process efficiency, because the numerical control system regards the laser tool head and the milling spindle as interchangeable tools. The ability to switch rapidly and easily between milling and laser welding provides added flexibility, resulting in a machine that offers all the necessary features for time-saving manufacturing processes.

All latest news from the category: Process Engineering

This special field revolves around processes for modifying material properties (milling, cooling), composition (filtration, distillation) and type (oxidation, hydration).

Valuable information is available on a broad range of technologies including material separation, laser processes, measuring techniques and robot engineering in addition to testing methods and coating and materials analysis processes.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Results for control of pollutants in water

Brazilian scientists tested a simple and sustainable method for monitoring and degrading a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds present in fossil fuels and industrial waste. An article published in the journal Catalysis…

A tandem approach for better solar cells

Perovskite-based solar cells were first proved in 2009 to have excellent light-absorbing properties of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide, collectively referred to as lead halide perovskites or, more…

The behavior of ant queens is shaped by their social environment

Specialization of ant queens as mere egg-layers is reversible / Queen behavioral specialization is initiated and maintained by the presence of workers. The queens in colonies of social insects, such…

Partners & Sponsors