LASER BEAM HARDENING

Method
LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The infrared laser beam, invisible to the naked eye, is light of a wavelength that vibrates in phase and is spatially aimed to an extraordinary degree. If this radiation hits metal the absorbed proportion is converted to heat. This heats the peripheral layer. Laser hardening is caused by self-quenching due to the rapid temperature compensation between the peripheral zone and adjacent material. No additional cooling medium is needed.

The laser beam is focused on the workpiece surface by means of beam guidance and shaping components. The focal spot can be varied over a large range and the process can be fully automated.

Advantages at a Glance
Reduced distortion due to low thermal load (partial energy input) Complex and large parts can be hardened easily, e.g. inside cavities High flexibility Precise hardening, high degree of hardening, finely dispersed, fine-grained, hard but relatively tough martensite Minimising subsequent work, shortening process chains No need for external cooling, e.g. water Integration in processing systems possible Optimale Prozesskontrolle durch Optimum process control by means of integrated temperature guidance CAD/CAM link Parameter database
1 Linear laser beam

Procedural Principle
Heating: Temporary local heating via the austenising temperature. Halting: Temporary halting of the temperature for temperature diffusion in the required depth. Cooling: Self-quenching due to high temperature gradient into the workpiece.
2 Untreated surface 3 Hardened material 4 Heat influence zone

Customised System Solutions

You will have complete know-how from a single source! Feasibility study Pre-series production System conception System construction Process commissioning Rapid-reaction on-site service

Results from Customer Applications

Bodywork Tools
Problem: Hardening shapes that are hard to access Material: 42CrMo4 Hardening range: Cutting and bending edges Hardness: 58 HRC Hardening depth: 1.0 mm Result: Hardening the cutting and bending edges, partial hardening of the heavily used surfaces, resulting in minimised costs

Cutting Tools (Bodywork Construction)

Flexible hardening of edges and shapes that are hard to access Material: X155CrVMo12-1 Hardening range: Cutting edges Hardness: approx. 60 HRC Hardening depth: 1.0 mm Result: Partial hardening of the heavily used cutting edges Problem:

Injection Nozzle Holder

Problem: Hardening the drilled holes in induction hardening, additional copper stoppers are needed Material: 42CrMo4 Hardening range: Face Hardness: 58 HRC Hardening depth: 0.7 mm Result: Hardened face without distorting the drilled holes

Punching Roller
Melting off the thin cutting edges Material: X165Cr110V12 Hardening range: Cutting to diameter Hardness: approx. 800 HV Hardening depth: 0.7 mm Result: Increasing tool life Problem:

HWG INDUCTOHEAT GMBH, Ostweg 5, 73262 Reichenbach/Fils Tel.: +49 (0)7153/504-0, Fax: +49 (0)7153/504-333; e-mail: verkauf@hwg-inductoheat.de www.hwg-inductoheat.de