MoldMaking Technology

OCT 2017

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Mold Repair 22 MoldMaking Technology —— OCTOBER 2017 that they need for welding, even in difficult-to-reach places on a very large mold or in a molding press. Maintenance and dependability. Nd:YAG systems require adjustable mirrors, traditional laser crystals and a flash lamp that work together to produce the laser beam. This process generates large amounts of heat within the machine that need to be cooled with water chillers, requiring additional moving parts and power consumption. The FSS laser beam source is completely sealed. It does not have mechanical parts that a machinist can adjust. It receives the pump power directly from the laser diodes, which enables approximately 100,000 hours of continuous operation. This means that if the machine were in use and running 24/7, these diodes would only need to be changed once every 10 years (much like the diodes found in the telecommunications industry). In contrast, Nd:YAG lasers receive power from flash lamps with laser crystals that transport energy to the active medium. A typical welding shop could expect to go through a Nd:YAG lamp every couple of months, and a toolroom may get a year out of a lamp. The mirrors inside the Nd:YAG systems need to be periodically adjusted and replaced, and the expensive laser crystals will not last forever. In order to ensure the unit is running at maximum potential, schedule a yearly PM program with your laser machine supplier. Cost. These advantages of the FSS laser come at a significant cost. The price is 20 to 30 percent higher than similar models in Nd:YAG. Most toolrooms have limited laser welding machine use and tend to have their unit in a fixed loca- tion, which negates many of the FSS advantages. Even with the costs of occa- sional maintenance and yearly replace- ment bulbs, the Nd:YAG technology is easier on the pocketbook. Which is the most appropriate system for your shop? Three main factors to consider in your decision are the budget, usage frequency and desire for a dedi- cated or mobile welding station. FOR MORE INFORMATION Alliance Laser Sales 847-487-1945 alliancelasersales.com CONTRIBUTOR Doug Niggemann is vice president of Alliance Laser Sales, and Dirk Haussmann is CEO of Vision Lasertechnik in Germany. VIDEO: A Look at Full Solid State and Nd:YAG Laser Welders short.moldmakingtechnology.com/fss CUMSA USA, LLC 950 Stephenson Hwy MI-48083 - Troy United States WEB: www.cumsa.com MAIL: info@cumsausa.com TEL.: +1 248 850 8385 FAX: +1 248 850 8385 core lifter moldmaking molder solution components standard parting line expandible insert innovation plate cavity hardened base vertical movement pin machining grinding YOUR NEEDS ARE OUR CHALLENGES, WE WANT TO SOLVE THEM!

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