Among the application possibilities of laser beam material processing in industrial production count all main groups of current manufacturing processes. Apart from economic criteria, successful laser based processes must fulfil further requirements, i.e. have a reliable process technology available and guarantee highest process speeds and precision as well as a constant process quality.

Main fields of work

The main fields of work of the material and processes department are focusing on developing processes for an industrial use of the laser in material processing. The core competences are in the fields of joining, surface treatment, cutting technologies, safety as well as in special, non standard processes with highest requirements to the material and process technology.

These working areas also include process analysis and quality control. In the past years, the LZH made important developments in the fields of hybrid process technologies (Laser MIG, laser plasma and others), process combinations (laser welding with inductive thermal treatment), rapid prototyping and 3D-powder deposition welding, precision- and micro-processing, plastic processing and last, but not least hand laser technologies.

Applications are light weight materials (i.e. aluminium, magnesium, titanium and metal foam), modern steel materials (i.e. high-strength steel) and polymer materials. The processes are especially used in the fields of plant, automotive, aircraft and railway vehicle construction as well as in medicine. Extending these application areas and process limits to allow for use of modern beam processes, is in the focus of our current researches.

For realizing our research projects, we are using the most up-to-date laser beam sources with the most different wave lengths and performance ranges.

Customers may benefit of our long-time know-how by taking advantage of our services in the fields of materials and processing, such as consulting services, feasibility studies and process testing up to the custom-made development of ready for use processes and industrial installations.