Recent developments in laser machining of tools

摘要

Laser hardening and laser cladding technologies are going to be established for production and repair of tools and dies. For economic reasons, a laser system that can be easily used for either technology is preferable. This paper presents key components (software and hardware) that enable both a high flexibility and a high productivity in laser machining of tools, and a new system technique developed and built for the tool shop of a leading automobile manufacturer. A huge working space, an automated calibration of the tools and a high accuracy of the guiding machine expand the applicability especially by means of producing thin and homogeneous claddings on free-form surfaces of big tools. The improvements of the laser cladding process are exemplarily shown by the modification of a die for injection moulding.