This is definitely a growing trend
within several industrial sectors where
OEM’s are placing greater demands
for flexibility on their supply chain
partners. Also for those working
within the research & development,
product development and prototyping
environments, it is essential that they
have the flexibility to configure and,
if required, re-configure their laser
system to enable the development of a
production ready process.
In addition, there are those who
may be seeking to introduce laser
technology for the first time. For them
it is essential that the system they
choose has the capability to meet not
only their current needs, but have the
capability to be easily and quickly
re-configured to accommodate future
requirements. The rapidly changing
nature of manufacturing tasks require a
laser solution that can be specified and
configured to address the unique criteria
required for any given application, if
users are to achieve the best results.
A package that allows the user the
ability to quickly changeover production
to new materials, processes or part
designs will be the optimum solution
for many.
Universal Laser Systems David Richter
explains how the company’s philosophy
of designing highly modular solutions
has never been more relevant. “It’s
essential that companies purchasing
manufacturing equipment within today’s
dynamic business environment are
able to maximise the return on their
investment. This is true regardless of
whether the system is to be employed
in a prototype or R&D environment, or
whether it is to be used as a production
tool. In order to achieve this objective,
the manufacturing tools, including
laser technology, must be adaptable
to changing needs as their business
evolves, and this is where the modular
flexibility of Universal Laser products
comes into its own.”
Users are able to select from a
comprehensive range of laser system
platforms which can be configured
with a variety of options and patented
technologies. The platforms can be
equipped with fiber and CO2 laser
sources for wide material compatibility,
interchangeable optical configurations
for laser beam control, choices on
cutting / vacuum tables to suit different
applications, and much more.
Universal Laser Systems is the only
laser system manufacturer that offers
Rapid Reconfiguration™. This patented
technology allows users to switch
laser sources to match their changing
requirements, without the need for tools
or any specialist training. Depending upon
platform model, there are options on laser
wavelength (CO2 10.6μm, CO2 9.3μm, or
fiber 1.06μm), in addition to a choice of
laser power from 10W to 500W – when
combining dual 250W laser sources. There
is also the capability in certain platforms
for dual or multiple laser sources. At its
core, Rapid Reconfiguration™ allows
users to very easily install and reinstall
any ULS laser source onto any ULS laser
system. Because certain wavelengths and
peak power levels are ideal for certain
materials and applications, this feature
allows for unprecedented flexibility in
laser processing.
The company’s newest platform, the
highly flexible and easily customisable
ULTRA 9 is able to accommodate up
to three laser sources, comprising of
two interchangeable CO2 lasers and
one fiber laser. When the platform is
configured with three lasers, users
can take advantage of MultiWave
HybridTM technology enabling up to
three wavelengths – 9.3µm, 10.6µm, and
1.06µm – to be simultaneously combined
into a single coaxial beam. Each spectral
component of the beam is independently
controlled and can be modulated in real
time.
The system, in this configuration, is
ideally suited for use with multi-layered
composite materials. If required, each
laser can also be used independently for
components that may require multiple
consecutive processes using different
wavelengths. The capability for such
diversity in configuration is matched by
the ease with which laser sources can be
interchanged, a valuable asset for those
using the laser systems in a demanding
production environment.
Additional flexibility can be achieved
through the use of a patented Class 4
Conversion Module, which is available as
an option.
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