Huffman Corp., Clover, SC, has announced the sale of a dual capacity multi-axis laser powder fusion welding system to Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas Inc. (MPSA), Orlando, FL, with delivery in 2008. This system offers Laser Powder Fusion welding (a/k/a cladding) for restoration of tips, Z-notches, and other wear surfaces on turbine components like blades, vanes, and shrouds.
This laser system will be housed in MPSA's new 111,500 square foot Gas Turbine Blade and Vane manufacturing Power Generation Service Facility. The $64.5M dollar investment is scheduled to open May 2008. MPSA plans to start producing parts by mid-summer to accommodate customer requirements for Fall outage support.
The system also has the capacity for Laser Fusion Welding without powder, a process which replaces operations traditionally done with much more expensive electron beam (EB) welding technology.
The model HP-115CL system includes Huffman's integrated vision and programming systems to automatically adjust to incoming part variation, a critical requirement for engine-run components.