Product Code: ICAL08_708

Robot-guided Remote Laser Scanner Welding for Highly-productive Welding Applications
Authors:
Thomas Schwoerer, Trumpf Laser; Schramberg Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2008

Remote Laser Welding has revolutionized high-volume production. Based on the emergence of high-power Disk Lasers and high-performance Scanner Welding Optics this technology is outperforming other welding technologies with respect to productivity, quality, flexibility and cost per part. The use of highly dynamic optical scanner systems to deflect the laser beam allows improvements of production throughput between 200% and 600%, yet capitalizes on known laser welding advantages like minimized heat input, single-side access, etc. In combination with industrial robots, laser scanner welding enables full 3D capabilities and welding-on-the-fly to automatically synchronize the robot motion with the scanner motion. Due to the extremely high throughput this technology is perfectly suited for all high-volume production requirements and has raised the benchmark regarding production efficiency in the automotive industry. This presentation covers not only the required high-power laser equipment (Disk Lasers and Scanner Optics), but also discusses process issues, clamping technology and other peripheral components.