Three-head CutFusion laser manufacturing system from Weil produces complex assemblies

Image provided by Weil Engineering North America

Weil Engineering North America offers the CutFusion sequential laser processing cell, which produces complex assemblies without the need to move the workpiece from one machine to the next. After the components have been clamped in the fixture, their position is known at all times during the manufacturing process, allowing laser cutting, part manipulation, and laser welding operations to be performed sequentially with no operator intervention.

The laser first cuts holes, features, and contours in sheet metal, stampings, and tubes. Then the individual components to be joined are positioned automatically with built-in manipulators. Multiple components are tack welded, then hermetically welded, to produce the assembly. Because these processes take place with the workpiece clamped in the same fixture, the need to “teach” the machine is eliminated.

The system can be configured with up to three laser process heads in any combination—for instance, one cutting head and two welding heads. It includes pick-and-place devices and can include robots as well.

Quick-change tooling pallets with standardized power, pneumatics, and cooling line connections allow the user to change jobs easily and maximize machine usage, the company reports. The standard volumetric working range of each tooling pallet is 1,000 by 500 by 300 mm, allowing enough room for multiple operations on each workpiece.