•  Fibre-, CO2- and Nd:YAG-lasers are the most commonly used in the field of metal processing.

•  Over the past decade, lasers have been developed into the state-of-the-art technology.

•  Developing of higher output powers without sacrificing the beam quality has been one important goal.

•  Other efforts have been focused on improving the drive technology of the motion system and improve material handling.

•  Predictions are that laser processes are based on improved speeds, no tool costs and unlimited flexibility – lasers will replace competing technologies.

•  Remote welding

•  3 D cutting/welding

•  Cutting of tubes

Impressive examples of modern laser applications

Impressive examples of modern laser applications

•  Micro cutting of tubes

•  Short pulse applications

•  High-speed cutting of thin-sheet metal

Primoceler

Compared to conventional manufacturing techniques …

High  investment  

Good  part  fit-­‐up    

New  skill    So:  ware  

Service  &  maintenance  

Modern laser technology makes possible…

Minimised  material  lost  

Fast  process  speed  

Good  accuracy  &  quality  

Less  finishing   Easy  to  use  automa;on  

New  construc;on  

Bystronic Bystronic

Design  

Nes>ng  

Laser  cu@ng  &  Coding  

Sor>ng  

Bending  

Laser  welding  

Laser  marking  

Effective sheet metal processing without CAD/CAM is not possible

Design  with  CAD/CAM  • 3  D  drawing  • Convert  the  drawing  

• Edi;ng  

Produc>on  design  •  Nes;ng  automa;cally  •  Crea;ng  manuf.    process  •  CuEng  geometry  •  Coding  

Produc>on  • Laser  cuEng  • Laser  marking  

• Bending  

Bystronic

Design laser cutting

Bystronic

Typical mistakes in drawings

Nesting for laser cutting

Bystronic

Effective sheet metal processing without CAD/CAM is not possible

Design  with  CAD/CAM  • 3  D    • Convert  • Edi;ng  • Nes;ng  automa;cally  • Crea;ng  manuf.    process  

Produc>on  •  Laser  cuEng  •  Laser  marking  (code)    •  Sor;ng  •  Bending  •  Laser  welding  

Delivery  • Quality  control  

• Packaging  • Delivery  

Effective sheet metal processing without CAD/CAM is not possible

Design  with  CAD/CAM  • 3  D    • Dissemina;on  • Edi;ng  • Nes;ng  automa;cally  • Crea;ng  manuf.    process  

Produc>on  •  Laser  cuEng  •  Laser  marking  (QR-­‐code)    

•  Bending  •  Laser  welding  

Delivery  •  Quality  control  •  Packaging  •  Delivery  

•  The cost of a sheet metal parts are determined on

designing. •  You can either save on material or manufacturing costs in

production. •  The goal is to combine the various production factors – the

type of material, material consumption, production time and constructions .

•  One improvement can have a positive effect on a number

of different areas.

CREATING ECONOMICAL DESIGNS

•  Minimize sheet thickness •  Lower material costs, lighter weight and faster

production •  Use the same sheet thickness

•  Products be can manufacture from a single sheet •  Maximize nesting potential

•  Design engineers can fit more parts on the sheet by designing the parts so that they “nest” inside each other

•  One part, many functions •  Often, these parts only need some additional

holes or larger recesses in order to perform a different task

CREATING ECONOMICAL DESIGNS

•  Why weld if you can bend? •  Welding not only takes up valuable time, but also

generates heat that could distort the work piece •  Minimize clean up

•  Try to eliminate welding seams •  Using laser welding helps to reduce finishing

•  YOU DESIGNED IT. NOW CAN YOU PRODUCE IT?

•  Keep in mind not only the costs of parts but also how it is going to manufacture

CREATING ECONOMICAL DESIGNS

•  Production simulations •  Programming software enable users to simulate

production •  This allows design engineers to test sheet metal parts

as often as necessary to identify problems

•  Knowledge transfer •  Working together with colleagues in production •  The designer learns about tolerances and bending

processes

CREATING ECONOMICAL DESIGNS

•  Use positioning and joining aids

•  Using pegs and holes we can match the parts together

•  For welding we need simple jigs to hold the parts •  Special bent tubes techniques create connections

with the need of only few welds

Modern laser technology makes possible…

•  Bayonet coupling ensures orientation and reduces need for precision fixturing

•  Coding system to avoid possible assembly

mistakes, accurate position.

•  Reduced heat distortion in cutting and welding

•  minimal shrinkage & distortion of the work piece •  small heat affected zone

•  Narrow weld bead with good appearance

•  Narrow or no flange •  reduction of component size / weight

•  Increased strength

•  improved component stiffness / fatigue strength

Goals reached with laser technology:

Resistance spot welding vs. laser beam welding

flange

LASER TECHNOLOGY, Marc Kirchhoff 02.01.2014 8

spot welding

flange

flange

Resistance spot welding vs. laser beam welding

flange

LASER TECHNOLOGY, Marc Kirchhoff 02.01.2014 8

spot welding

flange

flange

Goals reached with laser technology:

•  Lasers are utilized in prototyping •  Increased process speed in joining & cutting

•  Increases productivity •  Ability to weld in areas difficult to reach

•  non-contact, narrow access, single sided process •  variety of part & weld geometries and materials

Goals reached with laser technology:

•  Cost savings in products and production

•  High productivity >> faster cycle time •  Reduction of manual labour, less scrap, less re-work •  Reduction of component material and weight •  Eliminate second processes •  Less energy •  Reduced floor space – smaller investments

•  New and better constructions

3 D LASER 400 W Fibre

2 D LASER 3 kW Fibre

Nd:YAG lasers 15/500 W

Veslatec Laser Factory

MARKING LASERS 50 W Fibre laser and diode laser

Thank You! Veslatec Oy www.veslatec.com sales@veslatec.com