Champlin, MN—Pratt & Whitney has placed multiple follow-on orders for laser drilling systems valued at $1.9 million with Laserdyne Systems Division of Prima North America (www.laserdyneprima.com).
P&W will use the Laserdyne 790 BeamDirector units for precision high-speed laser processing of aerospace turbine engine components such as combustor liners and nozzle guide vanes. Most of these parts are produced from materials such as Inconel, Hastelloy, and super cobalt alloys and require special holes of different sizes and shapes that are drilled at varying angles.
P&W purchased the systems with Laserdyne's patented Optical Focus Control (see page 20 of this issue), which has been shown to improve quality and shorten cycle times. OFC enhances system flexibility because it can be used on a wide range of materials, both metal and nonmetal, and with different surface finishes and colors.
These new orders indicate a ramp-up in production and a continuing long-term commitment by an important Laserdyne customer.