Compact Laser Cells for Welding Small Round Parts

The laser technology of Arnold Ravensburg, a leading supplier to the German gearmaking, automotive and off-highway powertrain markets, is available from German Machine Tools of America (GMTA; Ann Arbor, MI). New machines are being offered in the U.S. by GMTA, along with full laser integration technology through application engineering in the Ann Arbor offices.

The newest additions to the Arnold laser line include a compact cell laser used for welding smaller, round components. Available with CO2 or solid-state lasers, this cell is suitable for mass production or smaller batches, owing to the onboard loading and powerful CNC programming capabilities of the machine. Parts are loaded into the rotary carousel either manually or by robotic automation that is available from GMTA. The part is then lifted into position, clamped, rotated in the C-axis and laser welded. A new part is loaded during the clamp/weld phase.

Also offered by GMTA is the Arnold two-station laser cell that is used in a similar fashion to the compact cell, but offers a variety of geometries in the laser welding, including axial and radial seams, plus an integrated pressing function. The processing optics move on a cantilevered arm to the individual work stations, processing radial or axial seams without changeover of the swiveling optic head.

Independent loading area gates allow simultaneous loading and unloading, while the machine is in operation. All functions on the machine are run by CNC and the machine is designed as a “single block” concept with a common base frame for all system components.

German Machine Tools of America, 4630 Freedom Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, 734-973-7800, Fax: 734-973-3053, [email protected], www.gmtamerica.com.