Main fields of work

• Laser micro-joining using e.g. frequency-converted solid-state lasers
• Laser-guided and stabilized MIG welding (LGS MIG welding)
• Integrating sensors in laser material processing systems for e.g. laser remote welding
• Remote-cutting of thin sheet metals
• Development of customer-oriented information systems for laser material processing
• Development of a measurement system for high-speed temperature measurement during single-pulse micro-welding
• Development of special systems for laser material processing

The Machines and Controls Group in the Production and Systems Department implements research ideas and development projects for sustainable laser-assisted material processing systems that require special, customized machines and controls. This includes joining processes for micro- and macro-parts through scanner technology and the development of novel sensor systems for process control.

Integrating sensors in laser material processing systems for e.g. laser remote welding

During the remote welding process the laser beam is adjusted and positioned using a scanner. The focused laser beam can be guided at very high speeds and can even reach those parts of the work piece that cannot be processed using conventional processing heads. To reduce the programming workload for the operator, the system control is additionally equipped with sensors. Thus, integrated sensors significantly increase the accuracy and productivity for small batches.

Laser micro-welding

Higher demands on the temperature resistance of micro-joints require novel manufacturing and production processes. During laser micro-joining the parts are welded without additional filler material. Application fields are both electronic components and mechanical functional joints. Also housing parts can be gas-tight welded. Besides experimental investigations, the numeric simulation of the temperature distribution is being considered, too. More information about micro-welding.

Laser-guided and stabilized MIG welding (LGS and MIG welding)

The new laser-assisted joing process is based upon MIG welding. Here, the focalk point of the arc is precisely and flexibly guided by a laser beam of medium output power. With the laser beam guiding the arc a stable and high-quality joining process can be achieved even at double welding speed.

Remote-cutting of thin metal sheets

Thin metal sheets with a thickness of several hundredths of micro-meters can be cut by laser-remote cutting. Due to the increased brillance of state-of-the-art laser systems, the focused laser beam can be guided along the edges at high focus distances. In first investigations with the newly-developed scanner system cutting speeds of 16 m/min for 100 µm stainless steel foil have already been achieved using a disc laser with an output power of 3 kW.

Development of customer-oriented information systems for laser material processing

Das Projekt hat zum Ziel, den Einsatz des Laserpolierens sowohl im Werkzeug- und Formenbau in KMU als auch in der Instandhaltung von Tiefzieh- und Spritzgusswerkzeugen in der Linien und Lohnfertigung weiter voranzutreiben und wirtschaftlicher zu gestallten. Hierbei sollen die Wettbewerbsfaktoren Kosten, Qualität und Termintreue durch Betrachtung der folgenden Teilziele weiter erhöht werden:

The aim of the project is to advance and economically improve laser polishing processes for both tool and form manufacturing in SMEs and for deep-drawing and die-cast tools in line and job order production. Here, the costs, quality and adherence to delivery dates shall be optimized under the following aspects:

• Increased transparency of the job order and cost structure in laser job shops
• Optimized order processing times for surface finishing in SMEs
• Reduced downtimes for deep-draw and die-cast tools

The research focus is on investigating the usability of a custsomer-oriented information architecture for both business and production processes in laser material processing.