Jenoptik has sold several 3D laser machines worth approximately €10 million to leading German car manufacturers. The machines will be used for contour trimming structural components, especially those used in electric cars, Jenoptik stated.
The Jenoptik-Votan BIM laser system is designed to machine complex metal and plastic parts – it offers both fibre and CO2 laser technology. The laser beam is guided inside a robotic arm to the cutting head via an actively cooled mirror system. The latest generation of the machine, which was sold here, has several 3D laser processing robots operating in parallel.
The machines and the processes were first tested by customers in the Jenoptik application centre. The use of the laser is proven to be a flexible and fast high-quality tool, especially for new lightweight materials, such as aluminium die casting as well as for ultra-high strength steel.