Laser cutting head manufacturer seals cooling holes with Bollhoff Pullplug mechanical seals

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Raylase relies on Bollhoff Pullplug components for the permanent sealing of drill holes in cooling systems with water.

The company focuses on laser beam deflection units. With the help of galvanometer scanners and axes, its own precision optics allow highly dynamic, fast deflection and modulation of the laser beam. The focused laser beam from the deflection units hits the component in configurable process fields of different sizes. The component is cut, welded, structured or cleaned.

Its Axialscan Fiber series can be integrated into any laser system due to different interfaces. It is IP64 rated for heavy use in industrial environments. The cooling of this system requires various auxiliary holes, which must be permanently sealed. Screws with sealing adhesive were used in the past. This process was time intensive and only partly process-safe.

The Pullplug LRST series is used for permanent closing and sealing of drill holes in pneumatic and hydraulic components and systems.

To close the auxiliary holes in this application in the aluminium housing, a Pullplug LRST made of aluminium, nominal diameter 8 mm, are used. They are installed with a hand-held B2007 battery-powered setting tool with a preset tensile force.

The Pullplug consists of a two-part assembly: a hollow collar with ridged exterior mounted to a conical insert with internal screw thread. Fixing to an internal screw mounted within the conical insert, the tool pulls the insert into the collar, pressing it against the bore.

The process is controlled by tensile force and not by stroke. Assembly takes place without further sealing by a sealing compound. This process reduces the assembly time of the cooling system to a fraction of the previous duration. The process-safe and simple handling of tool and closure component provides consistently good quality.

In this application, the seals are tested with 6 bar of compressed air and are permanently sealed against cooling water.