Laser Automation and Design Development for Future Engine Requirement

Optimising laser welding for aerospace applications

Throughout LADDER the MTC aims to design, develop and test several fixturing and shielding solutions for a variety of features identified by ITP Aero as common across their range of complex sheet metal fabrications. In addition to this, several state-of-the-art equipment and techniques such as in-process monitoring, laser beam manipulation, and gas shield particle image velocimetry are being trialled to identify their respective advantages and limitations for application to the welding of aerospace panel components. The MTC will also identify suitable parameter windows for a few materials and geometries through a number of sensor instrumented DOEs, the data from which will feed into a predictive model being developed by the University of Nottingham.