Benefits of Remote Laser Welding in the Automotive Industry Galvo-based scanners have been used for many years in laser material processing, primarily in laser marking-based systems and fixed-head systems in CO2 lasers. Galvo scanners have not been commonly used in solidstate lasers (SSL) due to their low-beam 48 JANUARY 2013 quality. Because of the low-beam quality, the focal lengths had to be very short, providing a very small and impractical work envelop. Additionally, when working close to the process, smoke and spatter quickly contaminate the lens/coverslide, even with the use of elaborate airknifes TRACEY RYBA and DAVID HAVRILLA are with TRUMPF, Inc., Plymouth, Mich. ANDREY ANDREEV is with TRUMPF, Inc., Ditzingen, Germany. Based on a paper presented at Sheet Metal Welding Conference XV, Livonia, Mich., October 2–5, 2012. and exhaust systems. With these drawbacks, expensive galvo-based optics had no practical applications. A galvo-based system in SSL was pretty much limited to low power where good quality beams could be achieved and the primary function was laser marking. With advancement of high-beam quality disk and fiber lasers, galvo-based scanners are quickly expanding into industrial applications with the promise of reduced cycle times, cost reduction through simpler system design, large work envelopes, and flexibility. TRUMPF has several models of galvobased optics called programmable focusing optic (PFO), primarily in the highpower region PFO 33, which is a 2D format with focal lengths of 255, 345, and 450 mm and a PFO 3D that adds a Z-axis movement with focal lengths of 255, 345, 450, 900, and 1200 mm. How a PFO Works A high-beam quality laser light is delivered via a fiber-optic cable to the PFO. The same as in other types of processing Highvolume production components such as doors, side panels, and seat frames can be remote laser welded with one robot BY TRACEY RYBA, DAVID HAVRILLA, AND ANDREY ANDREEV Fig. 1 — Optical layout of 2D PFO.
Welding Journal | January 2013
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