There are large bore hole professiona and small bore experts


machine, but also investigating what happens prior to and aſter the laser process. High Power Direct Diode Lasers


(HPDDLs) are ideal for large area cladding applications, as they offer high throughput and a very low heat input. Te near infrared wavelength used by such lasers is also relatively well absorbed by most metals and their output can easily be shaped into a long line, which is then scanned across the part for rapid processing. Tese lasers are also physically


small, allowing them to be mounted on a robot arm or gantry, which is ideal for repairing the oſten large parts and contoured surfaces found in the energy sector. Additive processes such as laser


deposition technology (LDT) – cladding is a variant of LDT – are now also used in the energy sector to build freeform fabrications, repair metal components typically considered non-repairable by conventional techniques, or strategically add features to forgings or castings. Nick Wald, general manager of


LDT specialist company RPM Innovations, said: ‘LDT deposits exhibit excellent material properties. Tese material properties, combined with the flexibility of the process, significantly lower overall production costs.’


Feasibility studies Laser technology is still being investigated for a range of novel application areas within the energy sector. A recent feasibility study – called


the Toolform programme, led by TWI in the UK – assessed laser welding against stringent welding standard requirements for components used in heat exchangers, chemical tanks and pressure vessels used in the oil, gas and chemicals industry, as well as water, food, pharmaceuticals, power generation, and nuclear industries. Tese components are exposed


to corrosive environments, elevated temperatures or pressures from 2 to 20 bar, so it is vital to obtain reliable welds. Stainless steel and titanium


tubes, with varying bore sizes and wall thicknesses, were joined using an HL4006D lamp-pumped Nd:YAG Trumpf laser, coupled with a Kawasaki JS30 robot to manipulate the beam. Te combination of a flexible optical fibre to deliver the light and a robotic control system allowed for angled butt joints and various configurations of fillet welds, as well as for straightforward circumferential butt welds. Laser welding offers considerable


savings in set-up times and efficiency over conventional arc welding for these types of component. Non-standard weld configurations can also be achieved and, assuming an acceptable fit-up can be made prior to joining, laser welding can produce single pass welds in the wall thicknesses evaluated with full penetration at welding travel speeds of up to five metres per minute. Another feasibility welding


study, known as the LaserJacket project, is evaluating laser welding to produce offshore wind turbine support structures. Te one-year feasibility study, funded by the Technology Strategy Board, is being carried out by engineering companies TWI and Graham Engineering. Non-serial wind turbine jackets


(or space frames) currently rely on labour-intensive conventional arc processing and account for around two-thirds of the total cost of wind turbine foundations. For such jacket structures to provide a solid business solution, laser welding could bring these costs down through increases in productivity and reduced manufacturing expense. Laser welding techniques suitable for section thicknesses outside the current capabilities of lasers, up to an industry relevant steel thickness of 60mm, are currently being investigated.


www.lasersystemseurope.com | @lasersystemsmag


There are large bore hole professionals – and small bore experts


precSYS – Micro-Machining System


The sub-system for industrial USP laser micro-machining with flexibly definable bore geometries – even at high aspect ratios.


• Clean-cut, burr-free bore holes in the µm range • Graphical user interface for intuitive operation • Robust, modular system design


• Intelligent hardware/software interfaces enable straightforward integration


• 5-axis processing for high fabrication flexibility


• System smartness thanks to embedded PC and factory pre-calibration


Questions and individual requirements? Just contact us: info@scanlab.de


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