Laser welding gas turbine components

Alvangen, Sweden – A flexible laser robot station, mainly for laser welding, has been delivered to LB:s Mekaniska Verkstad AB by Permanova Lasersystem AB. The system opens up a new market for LB:s Mekaniska because, with the help of advanced laser technology, the company can supply components in advanced materials to the gas turbine and aerospace industries.

LB:s Mekaniska has gained a strong position as a supplier to the gas turbine industry. Starting with CNC milling and turning services, the company has, step by step, worked toward more advanced component supplies, introducing TIG welding of stainless steel. Robots are also being used, and now a new competence step is taken, by introducing robot laser welding, and even more advanced materials. All according to its motto: "Nothing is impossible".

LB:s Mekaniska’s goal is to take a major step into the aerospace industry. Thus, when its customers started using advanced laser welding, the company's response was clear: do likewise, to be able to deliver components with the same technology.

Permanova was the choice as an equipment supplier for, and competence in, laser welding. A program for a build-up of knowledge is now in place, with "learning-by doing" in the Permanova laser robot lab, while its own laser system is being made ready for delivery.

An 8 kW TRUMPF disk laser, a Permanova WT03 welding tool with seam tracking and an ABB Irb 4400 robot with a 2-axis manipulator, form the core of the station.

"The limited positioning tolerances of the robot-manipulator combination, and the possible variations in joint tolerances, are taken care of by the seam tracking feature in the Permanova welding tool. This also makes the laser station very flexible, and makes the setup job easier for the operator," says Erik Vannman, sales engineer at Permanova.

Permanova Lasersystem AB is a Swedish integrator of robotized laser systems for metal processing, mainly for welding, 3D cutting, brazing, cladding and marking.