G.H. Tool invests in laser welding for die repair, mold changes
Die-cast tooling and machining services supplier G.H. Tool & Mold (Washington, MO), a Tooling Tech Group (Macomb, MI) company, has invested in an Alpha Laser AL 500 mobile laser welding system for making die repair and engineering changes to mold cavity surfaces, as well as refurbishment of critical wear surfaces. When compared to other welding approaches, laser welding offers superior metallurgical benefits for improved die performance over time.
“This equipment will help us better serve our customers,” says Dave Graves, G.H Tool’s president. “In addition to the precision of the pulsed laser equipment, we can work in a wide variety of materials, and repair molds faster and with more refinement than with other approaches.”
The accuracy of the laser beam allows for focusing into deep cavities and recesses in complex molds. Pulsed laser welding employs lower temperatures than other welding approaches, resulting in a much smaller heat-affected zone, which has a positive impact on how a repaired or modified mold will perform over time. With extremely short setup times and mobility, the AL 500 laser will provide G.H. Tool with increased flexibility for mold repair.
The laser welding system went into operation in September 2019.
For more information, please visit ghtool.com and alphalaser-us.com.