Trumpf is to provide 14 TruDisk laser systems for the BMW Group’s Swindon, England factory from October.
These TruDisk units are to be delivered with a variety of different beam qualities, matching the applications required. The TruDisk systems are designed for laser welding, but will also be used for robot-assisted remote machining. With 16 fully automated press lines, Swindon produces steel pressings and complex sub-assemblies. About 90 per cent of the components Swindon produces are for the BMW Mini, including all the skin panels and closure assemblies. BMW assembles its Mini product range at its Oxford, England plant.
The value of the BMW contract has not been disclosed but Trumpf spokesperson Verena Buttler told Electro Optics: ‘It is higher than one million [euros] and less then 10.’
According to Trumpf, the TruDisk lasers two major advantages are their flexibility and scalability. The lasers can be used for soldering, welding and remote machining and operate in a network so if one laser source should fail, then another one can take over its work, without any set-up times and without impacting productivity.
