Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWSLaser processing center to manufacture and repair large tools
The Fraunhofer IWS collaborated with the Maschinenfabrik Arnold, Ravensburg, on the installation of a 3D laser processing center for the repair, modification and surface treatment of large tools for car body manufacturing. The system was delivered to Shanghai Volkswagen. IWS engineers developed and delivered system components and processes and supported the startup of the machine in manufacturing. VW is now relying on the dynamic beam shaping unit “LASSY” for laser hardening processes also in China. A special challenge was the need for the defect-free laser buildup welding on cast iron (GGG70) material. A customer-specific system and process solution was developed to solve this problem.