Investment in a laser welding tooling repair system has allowed a mould maker to provide a 24h turnaround on most parts and an emergency support and repair service (by arrangement).

Investment in a new laser welding system from Rofin compliments Mouldline's already comprehensive tool making service. With the new Rofin StarWeld Tool Open, Mouldline are now offering the following services. * 24h turnaround on most parts.

* Emergency support and repair service (by arrangement).

* Weld-up and return or full repair, including CNC machining of the repaired part.

* Full tool making service.

The StarWeld Tool Open is a mobile laser welding system designed for repairing tools and moulds.

The laser system is capable of adding material by deposit welding, using wires with typical diameters of 0.25-0.5mm, onto worn or damaged tools with great accuracy.

The laser also has the benefit of significantly lower heat input than other welding processes (e g, TIG) which prevents distortion of the tool, a common concern when using conventional welding repairs.

'Since purchasing Rofin's laser welding system our service has proved extremely popular, chipped and worn edges can be repaired without heat-treating the mould.

The welded area can even have better wear resistance than the rest of the workpiece,' said Mouldline's managing director, Ronnie Cole.

In addition to this, one of the systems outstanding features is that it can do repair work on tools of almost any size.

The unique cantilever arm (1.7m reach) with the fibre-coupled laser beam can process surfaces very accurately in any position, almost like a human arm, with minimal set-up times.

At the end of the arm is a swivelling mount which carries the XYZ axes and compact focus head.

Normally, a quick adjustment of this arm allows the weld seam to be aligned so that only one axis of motion need be used.

This technique avoids the need to tilt or manipulate large tools, the adjustment being carried out instead at the laser head.

After use, the cantilever arm is folded up and is very well protected in a transport position with all operating elements and cables stowed away.

The high power output (150W) allows moulds in copper and aluminium to be welded at higher speeds as well as the more normal tool steels.

The StarWeld Tool Open Laser system is the latest addition to Rofin's already popular range of laser tool repair systems and now forms a key part of Mouldline's tool making and repair services.