Laser Hardening offers customers an excellent alternative to induction and flame hardening. With laser precision and robotic control, laser hardening can be applied to complex surfaces while achieving repeatable hardness and case depth. The surface finish after laser hardening is excellent and in some cases requires no finishing work. The process is used exclusively on ferrous materials containing a minimum of 0.20% carbon.
The laser acts as a local heat source quickly bringing the surface up to the desired temperature. After the desired temperature is obtained, the laser travels a pre-determined path along the component. As the laser travels, the base material acts as a heat sink, quickly quenching the heated surface. This quick cooling provides a very fine martensitic grain structure; creating a superior localized heat treatment
Real-Time pyro-meter controlled heat input for use on carbon steel with carbon content of 0.2 and higher.
Case depth and surface hardness can be tailored to each application allowing our customers the freedom to design parts with tighter tolerances and longer life cycles.
Advantages
- Hardening of selected regions with pinpoint accuracy.
- Very fast and efficient.
- Depending on carbon/alloy content, some steels can be hardened to 62+ HRC.
- Automated temperature control, for consistent case depth and hardness.
- Minimal if any, part distortion.
- Improves wear characteristics without changing the part dimensionally.
Capabilities
- 50,000 lbs Crane Capacity
- Open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week and half day on Saturday - we can accommodate special requests after hours
- 2 4kW Diode Laser
- 6-Axis Robot with a Tilt-Turn Table
- Large Work Envelope (40'x12'x12')
- Rotary Table (8,000 lb Capacity)
- Controlled heat input through real time measurement of temperature
- Full 3D modeling and CAM control ensures repeatability and accuracy
- Off-line simulation for quick and accurate development