Page 7 - SCHERDELnews Edition 1/11 english

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LOCATIONS -
TECHNOLOGY & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
- NEWS AND INFORMATION
Since 2008, there has been a marked
increase in laser-beam welding activi-
ties at SCHERDEL, particularly in rela-
tion to the supply of parts for hybrid dri-
ves and electromobility. The welding of
the copper material with the required
quality and precision is only possible by
means of lasers. The development of
the process takes place in close coop-
eration with manufacturers of laser-
beam sources, research institutes such
as the Bavarian Laser Centre or the
Amberg-Weiden Technical College and
major providers of farmed-out produc-
tion services. It has become evident
that, in the case of copper, material
thicknesses of 3 mm represented new
ground even for noted manufacturers of
laser machining installations. In con-
nection with various projects it was pos-
sible to create a comprehensive store
of knowledge in relation to laser-weld-
ing. At present, it can be said that
laser-welding plays an increasingly im-
portant part in the manufacture of com-
ponents. This technology enables us to
react more flexibly to the customers'
wishes. The requirements which ensure
that a laser installation providing this
flexibility can be used to capacity are
improving to an increasing extent.
Thanks to the development relating to
the use of disk lasers and fibre lasers
the investment cost per kilowatt of laser
power has decreased during the last
years. In contrast, the degree of effi-
ciency of the types of laser currently
used in industry has increased greatly.
A few years ago this was betwen two
and three per cent, whereas today's
systems achieve a value of approx.
25-30 per cent.
SCHERDEL intends to continue ad-
vancing the activities in the field of the
laser machining of materials, in particu-
lar welding, in order to increase its lead
relating to know-how. For example, par-
ticipation in a research project relating
to the welding of copper with aluminium
is planned. In the automotive industry
there are signs of a tendency to replace
copper by aluminium where possible.
This requires a suitable joining process.
One great step forward in the field of
innovation is a process developed by
SCHERDEL for modifying the surface
of springs. Using a laser, the surface of
the spring is machined at the point sub-
ject to wear. This procedure creates a
coating with a wear-resistant structure.
The coating has a thickness of a few
hundredths of a millimetre and can be
varied by adjusting the machining para-
meters. An additional important effect
achieved by the use of a laser is the
smoothing of the surface. (mk/dk)
Welding a T-joint to copper with a thickness of 3.0 mm
Marienberg teams
successful in Ironman
triathlon
By tradition, at the invitation
of the company known as
Keiper, three teams from
SCHERDEL Marienberg took
part in the "Quelle Challenge
2010" in Roth near Nurem-
berg last year. This Ironman
triathlon, which involves
swimming 3.8 kilometres, cy-
cling 180 kilometres and run-
ning 42.195 kilometres, is
one of the major contests of
its kind in Europe. From a to-
tal of 600 groups participat-
ing, team 3 from Marienberg
finished with a good midfield
position and, along with the
two other teams, they were in
the front line of competitors.
According to the "Keiper eval-
uation" they even came in
third and fourth. SCHERDEL
has already received the
award of "Best Supplier" from
Keiper. That's why the
Marienberg competitors
would like to prove their
sporting ability as well this
year and, if possible, come in
first among the "Keiper
teams".
Photo (from l. to r.) behind
Michael Reichel, Jens
Makosch, Hannes Reichel,
Steffen Demmel, Sören
Richter, Reinhard Schüßler
and Jens Reichelt, with
Mathias Meier, Jens
Weise and Niccolo Schiller
at the front. (dk)
quality of springs
n to the use of laser systems in the production process