Hoganas, ABB and Coherent Inaugurate Laser Cladding Applications Facility in Shanghai

    SANTA CLARA, CA, July 28, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Coherent, Inc. recently announced that Hoganas (China) Co Ltd., Coherent Inc. and ABB have opened a laser applications center at the Hoganas facility in Shanghai. This new facility offers access to a Coherent HighLight 4000L, 4 kW, direct diode laser system, mounted on a ABB IRB 2600 robot, enabling users to utilize lasers as part of the metal cladding process. Application center personnel will supply the knowledge and experience to optimize cladding process parameters and help those developing new cladding techniques to understand the suitability of laser technology.

"Hoganas has developed a range of powders that are particularly well suited to the needs of high-tech surface coating methods, such as laser cladding," reports Hoganas Asia President Per Engdahl. "The expertise that our applications engineers offer in utilizing these materials will facilitate effective implementation of laser cladding, and shorten the process development time scale for our customers."

"Direct diode laser cladding offers several practical advantages over traditional arc welding and thermal spraying methods. For example, the laser technique avoids heat distortion of the part, thus eliminating the need for post processing. It also delivers a clad having extremely low dilution, reduced porosity and good surface uniformity," notes Frank Gaebler, Coherent Director of Marketing. "The direct diode laser delivers lower cost of ownership and beam characteristics better suited to cladding when compared to other laser types."

About Hoganas
Hoganas AB is the world's leading producer of iron and metal powders. Building on its clear vision of the possibilities of powder to improve efficiency, the consumption of resources and environmental impact across a range of segments, the company has developed in-depth application skills.

About ABB
ABB is a leading supplier of industrial robots with an installed base of more than 190,000 robots. ABB robots are particularly well suited to laser applications due to the best in class motion control based on patented TrueMove and QuickMove software functions.

About Coherent
Founded in 1966, Coherent, Inc. is a Russell 2000 Index company and a world leader in providing laser-based solutions. They provide laser measurement tools, co2 laser products, laser cutting tools, and other solutions to the commercial and scientific research markets. For more information about Coherent, including product and financial updates, visit our website at www.Coherent.com.

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