TPT September 2016

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48 September 2016
T E CHNOLOG Y
Making laser welding an easy
investment for subcontractors
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,
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
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 30m2 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
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