Laser Welding

Laser Welding

MSM’s NADCAP approved laser cutting and laser welding facility includes the newest 5 axis TRUMPF 7040 LASER, utilising the very latest in “state of the art” industrial laser technology.

Incorporated into a large working capacity and highly efficient production centre the TRUMPF 7040 is ideally suited to laser cutting and laser welding high strength, heat resistant metals such as inconel 625, inconel 718 and titanium as used in the aerospace and other high technology industries.

A key feature of the machine is the fact that the solid state laser beam is guided through fiber cable making it more accurate, more consistent, faster and more efficient than the CO2 equivalent. Having interchangeable quick change heads it can perform high speed (up to 40m/min),high precision (<0.1mm positional and < 0.03mm repeatability) and high efficiency laser cutting and laser welding of the most complex 3D components.

A working area capacity of 4m x 2m x 2m enables large parts such as exhaust and after burner cones to be produced. Whilst the ability to split this area in to two separate, independent working zones transforms the machine in to a highly effective work centre for production quantities of smaller parts such as titanium bleed air duct manifolds and Inconel exhaust fire seal components. Furthermore the fully programmable rotary chuck enables aircraft ECS and engine pipe and ducting components to be accurately trimmed to length and welded together.

The high density laser beam develops very little heat resulting in minimal distortion and a very small HAZ (heat affected zone) of typically less than 0.01mm. This results in profiled components needing minimum cleaning of the edges after laser cutting thereby saving huge amounts of time when done by manual methods and other processes. In terms of laser welding this produces a very aesthetically pleasing weld line with high integrity which, for example, enables machined parts to be welded together without any further finishing being required and with no risk of scrap, such as in the manufacture of aircraft turbine engine rings.

Another feature of the laser welding is that due to the small amount of molten material and the short, controllable melting period, some dis-similar materials can be combined, which otherwise could not be welded i.e. a much faster alternative to EBW.

Other cost advantages are that the high accuracy and small kerf (width of cut/weld) means that material waste is kept to a minimum and parts can be closely nested without the need to add shrinkage allowances.

Our new LASER TECHNOLOGY is complemented by MSM's NADCAP approved TiG welding, Seam welding, Spot welding and Brazing facilities, all of which are supported by our NADCAP approved NDT facility whereby welds are verified for quality and integrity.