EMAG laser technology has become essential in the production of modern transmission components – the ELC machines (EMAG Laser Cell) enables effective lightweight car construction with lower component costs. The laser specialists from EMAG based in Heubach, near Stuttgart, have changed their name to “EMAG LaserTec”. What’s the reason for the change? – An interview with EMAG LaserTec Managing Director Andreas Mootz about growing success, new technologies and promising applications explains.
Lightweight construction in the automotive industry is a fight for every pound. Every single part is investigated for whether it could be made even lighter. This is typically accomplished by using new materials of changing part geometries. Laser welding offers a surprisingly simple strategy, e.g. by enabling a stable connection between differential gear and ring gear. This saves screw connections and reduces weight by 1.2 kg – quite an accomplishment by the standards of the field.
EMAG ELC 250 helps with mass reduction with the laser welding of differential parts.
EMAG had seen that the world automobile market was pushing suppliers to decrease mass and reduce the overall size of driveline systems, specifically differentials. More of todays automobiles are offering an all-wheel drive or on demand four wheel drive system that require an added differential.
In the automotive industry, one trend has been consistent for years: Passenger vehicle transmissions are becoming smaller and lighter, although the number of speeds—and of toothed gear components—continue to increase. How does the entire assembly not become heavier?