Laser welding in 3D gives Graham Engineering the edge

Graham Engineering, a UK company specialising in the manufacture of large complex components for high‐tech industries has pioneered the application of 3D laser trimming and welding of stainless steel and other difficult‐to‐process pressings and fabrications. It uses a Prima Optima 3D laser profiler, one of the largest built by the Italian company, for this work and examples are described from the nuclear, aerospace, domestic heating and telecommunications industries. One of the largest is a nuclear containment vessel manufactured in 6 mm stainless steel, requiring over 18 m of laser welded seams produced in a single pass compared with a root and four capping runs required when TIG welded. Quality and strength are also superior to TIG. Other components produced in the Prima machine include mild steel pressings for an aerospace customer, satellite dishes for a telecommunications company and stainless steel hot water cylinders marketed by Graham Engineering company.