EuroAd:Layout 3 11/20/09 12:20 PM Page 1
LASERS IN ACTION
It’s What’s
UK subcontractor
invests in laser
Laser technology
Under the Hood
micromachining
system
improves solar collectors
That Counts.
Laser Micromachining, in
Wales, UK, has invested in an A new project between the Laser
Optec ProMaster laser system Zentrum Hannover (LZH) and
from Laser Lines, which features several industrial partners aims
a compact excimer laser with to prove that laser joining of
short UV wavelength and glass tubes used in solar
nanosecond pulse duration to collectors has many advantages
ensure accurate over the conventional flame
micromachining down to the method, and that it is more
micrometre scale with cost-efficient for the glass
minimum kerf and thermal industry. Whereas photovoltaic
effects. Typically these systems cells transform the sun’s energy
are used to create ultra small directly into electricity, solar
features (holes, slots and collectors use a liquid which is
channels) in a wide range of heated by solar radiation. The
polymers, thin metallic and thermal energy captured by this
oxide films. process can be used for heating
Nadeem Rizvi, Laser water in homes or in larger units
Micromachining’s managing for driving power generators. At joining zone, which cause the glass tube, thus offering
Modelsforeveryapplicationandperformancelevel
director, said: ‘The addition of the heart of larger units are glass considerable variations in the better quality. In combination
� LightningDigitalorProSeriesAnalogfamilies
the ProMaster to our existing tubes filled with a liquid, which glass quality. Also, the heat input with chemical resistant and
� Aperturesfrom7to50mm
suite of seven other is heated by solar radiation. is difficult to regulate when robust borosilicate glass,
� 2and3axis,sealedandopenframedesigns
micromachining laser systems These glass tubes must be joined using the flame technique. This breakage is significantly
will enhance the capability we together, and according to the is not the case with laser reduced, which in turn leads to
� Industrystandardmountingandlaserintegration
can offer our customers and LZH, laser technology is best technology. a considerably lower reject rate.
� HighperformancemirrorsforCO2,Yag,532and355lasers
provide LML with a wider range suitable for this process. The advantages of laser The ‘Lafuelsol’ project is
� Widerangeoflenseswithgridcalibration
of precision laser manufacturing The disadvantages of the joining of glass tubes are mainly funded by the German Federal
� XY2-100oranalogcommandinput
solutions. We have been very conventional flame technique temperature control, Ministry of Education and
impressed with the ProMaster can partly be compensated for temperature distribution and Research (BMBF). The Karlsruhe
� CompatiblewithCTIoryourownscancontrollers
system – it is easy to use, highly by trained staff, but they can automation. Additionally, in Institute of Technology
flexible for our demanding also lead to product failure. contrast to the flame joining, the administrates the project via its
needs and very reliable.’ During the joining process, laser joining technique prevents Production and Manufacturing
impurities may occur in the condensation and deposition in Technologies division.
Automated lasers quadruple productivity
A subcontract fabrication specialist elite of the laser cutting joint managing director Steve Tate. that provided the differentiating
When you need a scan head; it is what’s
in the north east of England is using subcontractors. The Washington Metalworks factor,’ said Tate. ‘For instance,
inside that counts. Everyone knows that
laser technology to help it supply The most recent area of the team scrutinised all of the leading one particular job that previously
CTI has the best galvos and servos. Now available
products to numerous industries, company’s 90,000 sq ft plant to vendors of laser profiling took 1 hour 28 minutes to
in a wide range of integrated scan heads for every
including rail, automotive and receive funding is its laser cutting machinery before opting for the complete, can now be done in
application and performance level.
power generation. facility, where three 10-year-old 5kW Trumpf models, which just 23 minutes – a productivity
� Lightning Digital Scan Heads for high speed and self tuning
Washington Metalworks has manually-loaded laser cutters feature a single head cutting increase of around 400 per cent.’
installed two Trumpf TruLaser (1.5kW, 2.5kW, 3.5kW) have been strategy and optional nozzle Today, laser cutting work at
� ProSeries Analog Scan Heads for high stability or economy
5030 high specification CNC laser replaced with two TruLaser 5030 changer to minimise non- Washington Metalworks can vary If you are not using a Cambridge Technology scan head, you
profiling centres with TruFlow automated models. The machines productive time on the 3m x 1.5m from 0.9 up to 25mm thick in a are settling for second best.
25 Hartwell Ave. • Lexington, MA 02421
5000 (5kW) resonators and are linked to a LiftMaster Linear bed. Maximum axis speeds variety of materials. Jobs range
P: (781) 541.1600 • F: (781) 541.1601
integrated automation. The automated load/unload system and (simultaneous) are approximately from thin gauge hoods for fork lift
Learn more at www.cambridgetechnology.com.
www.cambridgetechnology.com
company has replaced less TruStore sheet storage unit. 300m/min. trucks through to heavy duty road
powerful, 10-year-old technology ‘We realised that in order to ‘Although we selected plates to cover bridge expansion
to quadruple productivity and move the business forward and powerful machines, it was the joints. Batch sizes vary from
C A M B R I D G E T E C H N O L O G Y A N D G E N E R A L S C A N N I N G • O N E B R I G H T C O M PA N Y.
position the company among the compete, we had to invest,’ said speed of the technology in cut one-offs up to 1,000.
6 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE • issue 5 www.lasersystemseurope.com
LSEwin09 pp04-07 News.indd 6 2/12/09 16:01:37
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