FOCUS ON LASER CUTTING won a project from BEIS [ the UK Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ], part funding from which allowed us to invest .” LAS already had a 2kW TRUMPF TruDisk solid-state laser with adaptive spot technology . It has been running since 2015 .
“ I have been involved with lasers for various companies since 2004 , in which time I ’ ve bought four or five TRUMPF systems ,” commented Mr Brown . “ You get what you pay for with lasers . I like the fact that we arrive in the morning and get a consistent laser beam , rather than errors . In my experience , that ’ s not the case with all lasers . TruDisk technology is very reliable , which is key for us . Realistically , our new laser was always going to be another ‘ TRUMPF ’.”
Ongoing expansion
Moving forward , the future looks extremely bright for this progressive laser-processing business as it continues its growth trajectory . Since 2015 , LAS has expanded to fill 2500 square feet of space across two buildings .
“ In the UK , we probably only have four or five competitors , but these are typically one-man bands or university-backed research centres , so we ’ ve got a pretty good niche ,” concluded Mr Brown . “ Our customers receive
“ Around 90 % of our business is repeat work , including from many large OEMs , which speaks volumes . If we continue doing well , we might look at a third TRUMPF TruDisk laser ,” he smiled .
. trumpf . com
Multi-purpose system
The TruDisk 3kW laser is at the heart of a new system that can perform a variety of different tasks : laser additive manufacturing / cladding to build or repair parts using powder or wire ; laser welding ; and laser hardening . In addition , the presence of a second fibre head will allow LAS to enter the 3D laser-cutting market , where the precision and consistency of the laser will prove particularly beneficial .
The LAS 3D laser-cutting system combines a Precitec SolidCutter laser head , TRUMPF TruDisk 3001 disk laser and KUKA KR60 L30 industrial robot on a 3m linear axis . It can cut complex sheet metal ( s ) with different thicknesses and in an extremely large working envelope due to the linear axis .
“ It is a perfect combination of cutting-edge laser technology and large working envelope , representing the most advanced laser cutting potential ,” said LAS .
“ After reliability , beam size consistency is the key attribute we need from our laser technology ,” stated Mr Brown . “ We have measured the TruDisk laser beam profile over a number of years and know that it ’ s consistent , as is the output power , which gives us great confidence . We ’ ve been doing a laserwelding job for an aerospace sensor specialist over several years where we measure the weld down to micron level . However , with the TRUMPF TruDisk laser we only ever get excellent results . In fact , the accuracy of the weld is unbelievable in terms of both depth and width .”
LAS has integrated its 3kW TRUMPF TruDisk with a high-specification KUKA robot to provide a fully automated , multi-purpose laserprocessing system and has retained its original 2kW TruDisk , which still runs continuously , day-in , day-out .
“ We had it serviced just the other week and got really encouraging feedback – the laser is still in very good condition , despite working really hard for the past seven years ,” confirmed Peter Brown .
TRUMPF presented the latest generation of its TruDisk high-power , solid-state lasers at LASER – World of Photonics in Munich , Germany . The powerful industrial disk lasers deliver a hefty 24 kilowatts of output power . This sixth TruDisk generation also comes with a beam guidance system and Active Power Control . With the patented TruDisk resonator and newly designed LLK-X connector , the laser is also able to machine highly reflective materials ( such as copper ) without disruptions caused by reflected light .
At this year ’ s EuroBLECH in Hanover ( Germany ), TRUMPF also unveiled its upgraded TruLaser 5000 series fibre lasercutting system , providing twice the power that was formerly standard . With an output of 24kW , the new laser – a TruDisk 24001 – can process sheet-metal parts up to three times more quickly .
TRUMPF also launched a new solution at EuroBLECH 2022 to improve
TruDisk optics .
New disk lasers with up to 24kW of power
the quality and robustness of laser welding . TRUMPF ’ s new BrightLine Scan technology will also allow users to guide the laser beam using the laser scanner . This new technique doubles the thickness of sheets that can be processed in heat conduction welding , upping it from three to six millimetres . The new technology allows users to tailor the parts ’ bonding surfaces – which are melted directly by the laser beam – to suit each particular application .
At the heart of BrightLine technology is a two-in-one laser light cable ( LLK ) with an inner and an outer fibre core patented by TRUMPF . A TruDisk disk laser couples the laser light into the LLK and distributes the laser power to the inner and outer cores , using a wedge switch . This allows the user greater latitude and precision in adjusting laser power and the beam profile to the given sheet ’ s thickness . BrightLine distributes the laser beam and its energy onto the part .