Papers by Keyword: Bifocal

Abstract: On a global market, new products are subject to rising requirements regarding strength and quality. Simultaneously, the conservation of the environment and natural resources has become a key priority. One approach to these demands is the weight reduction of mechanical components by lightweight construction. The Transregional Collaborative Research Center (TR 10), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), is therefore working on the “Integration of forming, cutting and joining for the flexible production of lightweight space structures”. The use of light metals, like aluminium and composite materials is a main part in the TR10 process chain. This paper deals with the challenges of welding of light weight components made out of EN AW-6060. It shows the use and potentials of two innovative joining processes, particularly suited for welding aluminium. Especially developed for the fusion welding of aluminium components, BHLW (Bifocal Hybrid Laser Beam Welding), combines a Nd:YAG and a high power diode laser. The paper will give insight into the findings of the achieved results so far and line out the further proceedings with regard to critical parameters and their effect on the overall laser welding process. For the welding of aluminium composite materials, which play a big role in the TR10 process chain, Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is evaluated. As a solid state joining process, it can be used for the welding of materials that are hardly weldable with fusion welding techniques. In this paper, results of basic experiment for the joining of reinforced aluminium and the resulting process forces are presented.

Abstract: This paper renders research into the fundamentals governing the melt pool dynamics of a hybrid bifocal laser welding system consisting of an Nd:YAG and a high power diode laser (HPDL). The resulting superposition of keyhole by heat conduction mode welding is assayed for extruded aluminum. In particular the diffusion of the surface oxygen layer is considered. By comparing the results attainable by bifocal laser hybrid welding to the constituent laser processes synergetic effects of the laser hybrid can be demonstrated. These are namely the doubling of the welding speed from 2.0 min-1 to 4.0 m min-1, the reduction of the roughness of the weld surface from 60 om to approximately 10 om and an increase in energy transfer efficiency. The experimental investigations verifying these synergies are outlined and discussed.