LaserTAU project has goal of improved laser welding for aerospace

Sept. 23, 2021
The LaserTAU project consortium demonstrated a long working envelope faster, cheaper, and with a higher precision than other robotic welding techniques.

The Welding Institute (TWI; Cambridge, England) has been working as part of a consortium to apply a new TAU platform for large-envelope, high-end applications. LaserTAU combines laser processing improvements (higher productivity in manufacturing aerospace structures) with large-scale, cost-effective improvements of a TAU robot platform, compared to existing commercially available manipulators.

Working with CAV from the UK and Prodtex, Cognibotics, and Corebon from Sweden, the three-year Innovate UK and Vinnova project used parallel-kinematic machine (PKM) principles in the creation of a new prototype robot that was adapted to create a system able to process workpieces with an envelope of around 3 ×× 1 m.

Originally designed for the aerospace industry, it is capable of being deployed to process structures or components in a range of other industry sectors, such as manufacturing of automotive battery cases.

The LaserTAU project consortium demonstrated a long working envelope faster, cheaper, and with a higher precision than other robotic welding techniques. The new platform can deliver extreme accuracy (<10 µm), high stiffness, a large open workspace, and reconfigurable on-site capabilities to manufacture aerospace structures.

This video shows the technology in use on a long weld for the aerospace industry:

Sponsored Recommendations

March 31, 2025
Enhance your remote sensing capabilities with Chroma's precision-engineered optical filters, designed for applications such as environmental monitoring, geospatial mapping, and...
March 31, 2025
Designed for compatibility with a wide range of systems, Chroma's UV filters are engineered to feature high transmission, superior out-of-band blocking, steep edge transitions...
March 31, 2025
Discover strategies to balance component performance and system design, reducing development time and costs while maximizing efficiency.
March 31, 2025
Filter accessories including cubes, sliders, and rings, designed to enhance the performance and versatility of optical systems. These components ensure precise alignment and stability...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!