Ospreys are used in a number of laser welding applications. Here the laser is moved along a programmed path and pulsed for a short period by the AMC while the machine is moving, i.e. fired ‘on the fly’ to perform spot welds. The big advantage of using ‘firing on the fly’ is that the machine productivity is dramatically increased.

In one application a 2 axis Osprey table is mounted on its side, at the side of the machine bed. The laser is moved right and left by the Osprey Y (long) axis and up and down by the Osprey X axis. The Osprey moving axes are supported by Thompson rails and bearings. The completed product is formed by a number of layers; each successive layer is placed then welded onto the growing structure.

In a second application a 3 axis Osprey table, mounted conventionally on a high structure, spot welds successive layers of material over an area of 4 x 17 feet. Part programs are simply generated using NEE's Graphical Programming Software, 'GPS' and downloaded at 115,200 baud. The jobs are retained until deleted, in the AMC battery backed memory. Part programs can be selected and executed as required from the AMC4 front panel.

The customer chose to use NEE AMC4 controllers and Ospreys because we were able to provide a complete cost effective and high performance solution to more than meet his needs. We were also able to undertake a number of post delivery system enhancements to meet the customers evolving requirements.

The customer carried out a cost benefits analysis before ordering the complete system and calculated that the system would be cost effective if a typical part could be welded in 30 minutes. In reality the machine welds a typical part in only 8.5 minutes.