Five-Axis Laser System(2)

The new Laserdyne Model 450 five-axis laser system is designed specifically for precision percussion and trepan drilling of turbine engine blades, nozzle guide vanes, shrouds, and similar-size components. The laser system includes features such as Optical Focus Control, which provides focus control for ceramic coated as well as metal surfaces along with probing of the surface prior to and during laser drilling. This feature is coupled with BreakThrough Detection, which improves hole consistency, reduces backwall strike damage, and increases throughput during processing, the company says. Another feature is Active Optical Sensing, a combination of hardware and software that monitors the state of optics during the drilling process to warn the operator or stop the process when the optics have been compromised.

The system is controlled by the Laserdyne S94P Laser Process Control, designed specifically for integrated control of the laser, motion and sensing functions. The system configuration consists of three linear axes and two rotary axes mounted on the X-Y axes. The workpiece and associated fixturing are mounted to the direct drive A axis that is positioned using a precision gear drive rotary table. A fully CNC controlled Convergent Lasers P50L pulsed Nd:YAG laser is mounted outside the work area.