Precision laser teamed with flexible robot

Citation

(1999), "Precision laser teamed with flexible robot", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926caf.009

Precision laser teamed with flexible robot

Keywords Lasers, Robots

By integrating a high performance laser and a robot, Trumpf's new Robocell provides the user with an extremely versatile production unit for cutting and welding. To suit the application, either pulsed or continuous Nd:YAG HAAS lasers may be specified. Both ensure a constant focus diameter across the entire power range ­ from 350 to 4000W dependant on the laser selected ­ for continuous high-quality processing results (see Plate 8).

Plate 8 By integrating a high performance laser and a robot, Trumpf's new Robocell provides the user with an extremely verstatile production unit for cutting and welding

The six-axis industrial robot has been selected for its ability to perform a wide range of motion and positioning tasks. Thanks to the flexibility of its central hand, optics for laser material processing can be integrated quickly and easily. Trumpf offers a wide selection of welding and cutting optics with focal lengths of 70 to 200mm, focus diameters from 150µm. Water-cooled optics are also available for work with high reflective materials. Optional features such as a CCD camera, cross jet, capacitive height regulation and bifocal optics allow the system to be tailor made for the application.

Robocell's HAAS laser, which is fed to the workpiece via fibre optic, enables narrow yet deep weld geometries to be produced. This not only minimises distortion but also considerably reduces the need for any subsequent dressing. The welding depth is easily controlled allowing high quality, repeatable welds to be created, often without any visible seam root on the underside.

A variety of different contours can be cm or trimmed with Robocell. Its versatility is particularly valuable for applications which call for three-dimensional parts to be cut after a forming process. Mechanical methods are very expensive, especially for prototypes or small batch work. By simply editing the machining program, Robocell can perform such tasks fiexibly and quickly.

For technical queries contact: Dave Foulks at Trumpf on +44 (0) 1582 399259.