NEW PRODUCT: CHRocodile IT 18 - 3000

Application: thickness measurement of wafer, PET-bottles and plastic foils

The new optical sensor for thickness measurement from Precitec Optronik is the CHRocodile IT 18 - 3000.

The CHRocodile IT 18 - 3000 covers the largest measuring range in the IT series of proven and highly precise CHRocodile sensors. The measuring range in air extends between 18 - 3000 µm. This corresponds to a measuring range of 5 - 800 µm in silicon (refractive index n ≈ 3.6). For film or plastic (n ≈ 1.5) the measuring range is between 12 and 2000 µm.

With the new CHRocodile IT 18 - 3000 the user can measure inline the thickness of the following materials:

• Rough-cut or textured wafers
• Opaque and scattering materials, for example PP- and PET-bottles
• Multilayer systems, for example foils and bonded wafers

Fast 3D cutting of difficult work surfaces by robot

The SolidCutter System is a perfect example of how Precitec uses its many years of experience in 3D laser cutting to produce professional cutting perfection. Fast-reacting distance sensors with an integrated linear Z drive in a closed control loop guarantee constantly high cutting quality at high and variable speeds - even in the case of complex moulded components. The recently-conceived double chamber concept provides a hermetically sealed optical path without external purging air - and this is the prerequisite for a long service life for optical components, even in environmentally harsh conditions. Compressed air floods the drive chamber through an air filter, preventing contamination of the external chamber. A slim design and easily-accessed media connections in the upper head area make integration with automated systems simple and economical. This system is already being used by well-known automotive companies, supply companies and job shops. The SolidCutter System has a wide range of applications, including hole cutting in finished vehicle bodies and underbodies, in hot-formed steel and in hydro-formed profiles.

Sensor-supported 2D laser cutting with solid-state lasers

Modern fibre lasers, equipped with high-quality beams that approach theoretical limits, enable ever-higher cutting speeds in the thin metal sheet sector. The HP SSL Cutting Head with integrated, coordinated sensor technology transform this potential into productivity, quality and safe reliability. In addition to the extremely fast, drift-free sensor system - which is also endowed with long-term stability - a new, monitored protective window cartridge for recording contamination levels and providing a presence check is now available. It enables the exactly-timed replacement of the protective windows - "not too early and never too late". A piercing sensor reduces pre-programmed waiting times at the beginning of the cutting procedure, and this means that the cutting process can now start directly after piercing. The recording of process radiation and a newly developed cut tear detection system ensure that every cut fulfils the stipulated quality requirements. Temperature monitoring in the area of the sensor insert and back reflection monitoring of the laser beam make the head fail-safe and robust. The replacement of lenses for various focal lengths is fast and easy thanks to pre-adjustable cartridges. The exchangeable cartridge for various focal lengths can also be equipped with a motor - this means it is no longer necessary to set the focus position manually for different material qualities and thicknesses, and the piercing process is accelerated in the case of really thick work surfaces. In this way, various sheet thicknesses can even be cut during the same cycle, without any manual intervention at all.

New WeldMaster Platform

A uniform user concept and clear, self-explanatory parameterisation of various different applications combine to create a solid foundation for the industrial use of this sensor system. Precitec presented yet another innovation at the Euroblech 2010 - the WeldMaster Platform. In future, every Precitec laser beam welding measuring system, like the LPF seam tracking system, the LWM process monitoring system and the SGM and SOUVIS seam quality monitoring systems will be connected via this platform to just one computer system. Precitec's many years of experience and know-how in high-end sensor systems and processes in the field of laser material processing have been incorporated into the user concept and the menu structure, allowing the user to easily understand the correct function of all the measuring systems with just a glance. Stored image and data sequences can be easily parameterised offline with the help of numerous help programmes. The WeldMaster sets new benchmarks in the evaluation and user operation of sensor-controlled laser processing procedures.

Precitec at EuroBLECH

At the EuroBLECH 2010 exhibition, Precitec presented various new and further developments from the laser cutting and joining technology sectors. The good quality of contacts as well as the occured customer talks made this a successful event for the company.

KeyholeTracker on the new WeldMaster Platform

Modern solid-state lasers with high beam outputs allow fast welding speeds for narrow seam widths - and provide a high level of penetration at the same time. Fast welding with small beam diameters leads to smaller process windows as far as beam positioning is concerned. This can result in defects due to lack of fusion. The exact positioning of the laser beam in combination with control of the effective seam position is therefore prerequisite for a reliable welding process.

At the EuroBlech 2010, Precitec introduced its YW52 Welding Head with optical seam tracking and simultaneous control of the effective seam position for the first time. All the functions of the KeyholeTracker are coaxially integrated into the welding head. Using only one camera, it simultaneously measures and monitors the seam tracking and the position of the vapour capillary (keyhole) online, at the same time recognising each inadvertent change in beam positioning or TCP caused by a fibre or focusing lens change, for example, or by defective tracking of the welding head. The KeyholeTracker always ensures that the laser welds exactly where it should and that any deviation is immediately detected. Defects caused by lack of fusion often remain undetected by optical equipment when welding has finished.

Workshop in France

PRECITEC et WELIENCE (the company for transfer of technology of the University of Burgundy) co-organized on the 23th of September in Le Creusot a workshop dedicated on the last developments in laser cutting and laser welding especially for thin sheets. 35 participants discovered the new products proposed by PRECITEC, especially the new system WobbleTracker or the YW52 welding head dedicated among several applications on hybrid welding. And as this workshop took place at the Universitary Institute of Technology of Le Creusot, in the heart of Burgundy, this day ended by a tasting of local specialities.