Rugby, UK – JK Lasers has supplied Setco Automotive with a high power JK Lasers industrial CW laser, which will be used to manufacture Setco's automotive clutch plates. The parts produced by the company will be used in heavy duty trucks in India and a range of premium class vehicles in Europe and Russia.
JK Lasers was able to match Setco’s strict quality requirements and were selected to provide a 2 kW laser to produce a 2.5 mm deep seam weld, joining the inner disc ring to the drive plate.
The strength of the weld was of prime importance, therefore Setco Engineers and JK Lasers' applications team carried out comprehensive trials to develop and perfect optimal laser welding parameters.
In addition to the strength requirement, the laser had to achieve rapid cycle times to meet the company’s high production demands. Following extensive trials, the entire 722 mm (230 mm diameter) seam weld was achieved in an impressive 20 seconds.
An innovative timeshare facility, offered by JK Lasers, was utilized in this process. It enables two workstations to be supplied from a single laser source, which effectively doubles the production capabilities of the Setco plant.
Setco Automotive has headquarters in Mumbai and manufacturing facilities in Kalol and Uttaranchal, India, Lancashire, UK, and Paris, Tenn., US. The company manufactures clutch assemblies and prides itself on producing quality, long lasting products that offer optimum performance even in the most demanding environments.