3-Dimensional Services, Rochester Hills, MI, and its subsidiary, Urgent Design & Mfg., Lapper, MI, have installed a new laser-welding system to complement their rapid-prototyping technologies. Acquisition of the system parallels the establishment of a new metallurgical analysis station where weld and material microstructures as well as physical properties can be thoroughly studied.The custom laser-welding system features an 8-kw Trumpf high-frequency CO_2 laser with a three-axis bridge-type workstation, laser- and motion-control unit and turnkey integration supplied by Futek. It can accomplish high-strength welds to a penetration of 15 mm and exhibits precision and beam quality sufficient to join thin materials with minimal distortion and limited heat-affected zones. The package allows the companies to weld and assemble prototype and low-production parts. Currently, the laser welder produces parts for fuel-injection systems, transmissions, fuel cells, exhaust systems, pressure transducers and supplemental restraint systems.
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