The ELC 160 HP is used particularly for laser welding of the clutch body and control gear. It integrates several process steps into a flawlessly-timed system.
Joining (press fitting), induction pre-heating (if needed by the material), and connecting the components by laser welding.
ELC 160 HP: New flexibility in joining and laser welding of the control gear and clutch body
All machine components are mounted on a main column. A rotary indexing table arranged around this column facilitates the transport of parts to the corresponding process stations. Each processing position on the turntable is equipped with its own spindle unit, on which the workpiece is cycled horizontally to its processing positions. Position one is used as the loading and unloading station. Both robots and gantries can be used here. The joining station follows after one cycle step around the table. The joining station is fitted with three joining stamps that are mounted to a slide, which allows fast re-tooling for part families.
The joining process itself is performed quickly and precisely by a screw spindle drive. Another quarter turn later, the workpiece reaches the processing station for induction pre-heating, if this is required by the workpiece material. Here as well, several inductors can be installed in parallel so as to allow fast adaptation to different parts. One turn of the indexing table later, the workpiece has reached the center of the machine, the laser welding station. This station as well is fitted with a slide unit with up to three counter bearings so as to ensure automatic re-tooling at this point as well. The weld head is fitted with an X-axis for the seam position and a Z-axis for regulating the focal position. All four processes described above take place in parallel, allowing very short cycle times of only a few seconds.
Advantages
- Compact design: The control cabinet (pneumatic and electrical systems, induction generator, etc.) is installed directly adjacent to the machine unit
- High-performance laser welding of gearwheels and clutch bodies
- Laser welding of part families without re-tooling
- High-precision control of the laser beam
- Rotary indexing table for short distances and short cycle times of just a few seconds
- All machining areas and service units are easily accessible at any time
Workpieces / Technologies
Workpieces
Rotor shaft (electric motor)
Gear shaft (laser welding)
Gear with synchronizing wheel
Technologies
Laser welding
Laser Welding Machine – ELC 160 HP
Picture 6 (Machining areas perfectly accessible)