Title: Recent developments in laser machining of tools

Authors: Peter Hoffmann; Roland Dierken

Addresses: ERLAS Erlanger Lasertechnik GmbH, Kraftwerkstraße 26, 91056 Erlangen, Germany ' ERLAS Erlanger Lasertechnik GmbH, Kraftwerkstraße 26, 91056 Erlangen, Germany

Abstract: Laser hardening and laser cladding technologies are going to be established for production and repair of tools and dies. For economic reasons, a laser system that can be easily used for either technology is preferable. This paper presents key components (software and hardware) that enable both a high flexibility and a high productivity in laser machining of tools, and a new system technique developed and built for the tool shop of a leading automobile manufacturer. A huge working space, an automated calibration of the tools and a high accuracy of the guiding machine expand the applicability especially by means of producing thin and homogeneous claddings on free-form surfaces of big tools. The improvements of the laser cladding process are exemplarily shown by the modification of a die for injection moulding.

Keywords: laser hardening; laser cladding; process parameters; laser system technology; machine concepts; offline programming; applications; tool repair; die repair; tool machining; laser machining; automobile industry; automotive manufacturing; die modification; injection moulding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2013.052647

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2013 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.73 - 86

Published online: 30 Apr 2013 *

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