CNC laser welding provides required capacity

In 2009, XL-PT relocated to larger premises and, as a result of a sustained period of growth, further expansion is scheduled for the near future. Recent increases in the volume of laser welding have resulted in the purchase of a second Select CNC laser welding system from Rofin-Baasel UK to provide the capacity required. Using the Select laser welder, gives XL-PT the flexibility to handle prototypes, trials of new applications, small batches or high volume production. The system can be used manually, where components are hand held or in semi-automatic mode, using the in-built teach function, or running a CNC program without any operator input other than to load and unload components. This flexibility makes the Select the laser of choice for any new fine laser welding applications at XL-PT. Application development for laser processing is carried out by XL-PT engineer Ashley Cooke, who claimed: "You won't find any other laser welding system which has all the features and flexibility of the Select." In production the Select is capable of welding up to 100 parts per hour and the internal rotary axis suits CNC welding of fine tubes for medical device manufacturing applications. Used in two or three shifts per day, the Select has proved to be a reliable work-horse and with the added capacity XL-PT is growing the laser welding subcontract business steadily. As well as laser welding systems, XL-PT has a laser engraving and marking system from Rofin as well as a fine tube cutting system for precision laser cutting of small diameter tubes with an auto-loader for higher throughput and lower operator intervention. Rofin-Baasel UK supplies systems for laser welding, cutting, engraving and drilling to a large base of industrial customers throughout the UK and Ireland.