Just Weld it!

A laser first

The first system you see as you enter is the latest laser welding solution, the LAPRISS (Laser Processing Robot Integrated System Solution). Traditionally metal parts, such as auto body panels, were welded by resistance welding, using electrical resistance or arc welding, using the discharge phenomena in the air. But with LAPRISS, Panasonic has created a more accurate welding solution. LAPRISS combines the various elements necessary for laser processing, such as robotic technology, the welding head and resonator, equipped with a state-of-the-art wavelength beam combining technology, to create the world’s first remote laser welding robot system armed with a 4kW Direct Diode Laser.

LAPRISS delivers defect free, flexible welding by using a proprietary spiral and spin laser motion. It also enables precise welding with less distortion, so there is no longer a need for a welding margin. This helps to make welding objects lighter and gives greater freedom in design. In addition, because it realises high power density with low heat input welding, you can weld at shorter spot intervals, which improves the toughness of the weld section.

The mobility of the robot means that it can easily avoid any obstacles and focus the Direct Diode Laser in the correct position, however difficult the shape. By calculating and combining the movements of the handling arm and head arm so that they move as one, along a single trajectory and at a single speed, it can maintain a posture better suited to welding than when using a positioner – even when welding complicated shapes.

Also on display are examples of Panasonic’s TAWERS Arc Welding Robot System, a robot and controller combined with welding power source and servo wire feeder in one unit for all kinds of weld processes. Optimum welding processes are achieved by utilising an integrated inverter power source within the robot controller, meaning complete synergy within the common control system. This ensures that the established benefits and advantages of the existing TAWERS Fusion Technology are also now available for use for the range of MIG, MAG and DC TIG welding process.

For those interested in automotive manufacturing, we also showcase the TS-950 Automotive welding cell. The compact design can achieve the best welding results with the TAWERS technology, which are splatter free, fast and effective with low tech-times.