|
|
|
Laser technology
Laser welding and brazing are highly flexible joining processes which are used for steel and aluminium materials, both in the manufacture of niche vehicles and for large-scale production. In the long term, laser joining will play an important role in precision carbody manufacture and pave the way for completely new design principles.
ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer has been manufacturing and commissioning laser welding systems for carbodies since 1994. Laser welding enables on the one hand the reduction of the vehicle weight with improved body stiffness and improved passive safety of vehicles, and on the other, the manufacture of compact systems, flexible with regard to different types and variants.
Laser brazing produces visible seams that require no further rework. This enables both new styling features impractical with conventional forming technology, and the production of different versions of the vehicle, by varying individual areas of the outer skin, such as the different number-plate holders for the American and European market.
A special innovation is the laser clamping head from ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer. This new system for laser welding of galvanised body plates (patent applied for) considerably extends the application spectrum of the process. With the aid of the laser clamping head, small flange widths can be jointed, irrespective of radius and 3-D contour progressions.
The modular construction and special guiding of the laser beam allow the simultaneous clamping and welding of the parts to be connected, substantially reducing the effort required.
The laser clamping head can be adapted to different seam types. The quality weld connection of galvanised plates is ensured by the integrated gas extraction solution. Depending on the beam source and material, welding speeds of up to 5 m/min can be achieved.
|
|
 Body-In-White
Laser welding with the patented laser roll clamping head LSK 05
|
