A Novel Modular Design of an Equipment to Produce “T”-Profiles by Laser Welding

Huge constructions mostly contain different profiles to form a structure. These profiles can appear in different forms and sizes, but also the used materials can vary. For this case steel “T”-profiles are used. Before, the “T”-profiles were welded manually with conventional welding techniques. The novel design of a machine that can automatically laser-weld “T”-profiles of up to six meters in length is will be presented. The design of this equipment was done using AUTODESK software, FUSION 360. The machine presents a modular concept, containing four parts with different functions: the loading, the vertical centring, the welding, and the unloading. The loading and the unloading of the plates is performed manually with the use of a roller bridge. A lift system is designed to ease the loading of the plates and to clamp the vertical one after the loading is done. A centring system makes it possible to put the horizontal and vertical plates in the desired position. The clamps are wheels, so that the plates roll, and the clamps cannot interrupt the laser beam during the welding. A pressing system excludes possible gaps between the two plates in the welding zone. Extendable feet make it possible to level out the whole machine and the alignment is done with the use of low-cost brackets.