Laser systems tailored to customer requirements – this is what Arnold Maschinenfabrik from Ravensburg specializes in.
The portfolio includes systems for laser welding, laser cutting, laser hardening and laser polishing.
When it comes to laser systems for demanding three-dimensional welding or machining applications in areas such as industry or research, the manufacturer's engineering expertise is paramount. The beam source must be exactly right for the materials and the desired processing task. The workpieces must be optimally fed, clamped, machined and checked. The decisive aspects for processing efficiency include the cycle time and changeover flexibility.
With turnkey automated 3D complete solutions, training, advice, maintenance and service are also relevant to success. Arnold Maschinenfabrik developed from a special welding shop. With its know-how in the areas of welding and clamping technology, the company is familiar with processing complex part geometries. The portfolio also includes the processing of components weighing tons and the production of devices and special machines. The manufacturer of fully automated laser systems for demanding manufacturing tasks with three-dimensional beam guidance specializes in turnkey solutions; This includes all necessary devices and accompanying processes such as pressing, heating or cleaning stations as well as quality testing, for example using ultrasound technology. Customers from the areas of vehicle construction, mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace and research value the systems because of their flexibility to convert for different tasks.
Custom made specials
Almost every system is a customer-adapted custom-made product. When it comes to beam sources, Arnold is not limited to one make, but sources the most suitable units from leading manufacturers. There are definitely system solutions in which several different beam sources are integrated at the same time. When it comes to process and automation technologies, too, the range of variants and long-established suppliers is large. Thanks to the tight knockout
operation with research institutions, the feasibility and optimization of customer projects can be clarified.
An expandable basic structure allows space for customer-specific special equipment
The tasks at Arnold go far beyond standard welding on steel and aluminum. Various new materials are also processed. Among other things, deep penetration welding, powder deposition welding, soldering or hardening are practiced. A special system even deburrs cut edges by briefly melting them, others solder new types of materials in a vacuum chamber, harden precisely defined surface areas or polish glass components using a laser. The particularly demanding special solutions include, for example, the treatment of grain-oriented electrical sheets for transformer production and the creation of the finest hole patterns in machine components for paper production. Arnold also cites the development of a high-precision beam guide for the continuous welding of cladding sheets with tubes within the narrow gap between tube and sheet during winding as a special task.
Modular, flexibly adaptable cell design
In view of the variety of customer requirements, the company designs the systems in a modular and adaptable manner. An expandable basic structure gives the designers freedom for customer-specific special equipment. An example of such a system type is the Flexline 3D laser system, which offers large travel distances on a relatively small footprint. The supporting base frame, on which all components are built, enables fast transport to the customer after acceptance. The desired five-axis kinematics can be implemented using different combinations of travel paths, optics and workpiece. The different heads can be exchanged.
