Aviation
Welds that will withstand even the highest material loads
Jet engines are of outstanding importance for modern air transport. By far the largest part of the transport capacity in aeronautics, nowadays is performed by jet engines.
Laser technology has also been used for some time as a production tool in the field of jet engine assembly. In addition to laser cutting machines and laser drilling machines, laser welding machines are increasingly being used.
Efficient, reliable, light, and efficient - the latest high-tech materials and the latest manufacturing methods in high-technology engine assembly enables to produce very complex jet propulsion systems.
For reasons of weight reduction, the aeronautical industry prefers to use light alloys (for example aluminum or titanium alloys) in addition to fiber-reinforced composites.
Heavier nickel alloys (super alloys) are used especially in the hot part of the engine, where the temperatures are too high for titanium alloys. The alloys developed especially for this feature high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance.
Turbine stator and rotor blades are components exposed to the highest thermal, chemical and dynamic loads and to temperatures of up to 1400° Celsius.
With a laser, parts that have been damaged by erosion or thermal fatigue, can be put back into mint condition.
The advantages of a repair with a laser are:
- low risk of cracks while maintaining the plasticity
- minimal distortion of the structure
- a very small heat-affected zone.