A robotic system implementing hybrid laser-arc welding technology, unique to the Russian industry, has been put into operation at the Bryansk Engineering Plant (BMZ). This equipment is the first in the country to be introduced into the production cycle for welding critical components of railway equipment.
It takes about 6-7 hours to process the side of a bogie frame manually. And the robotic system spends about 40 minutes on the same process. Therefore, the advantage of this method is undeniable.
The new complex is installed in the plant's bogie shop and is designed for the manufacture of bogie frames for electric locomotives produced by Transmashholding (TMH) at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant. The combined welding method simultaneously uses an arc and laser radiation, which allows achieving high processing speed with impeccable weld quality.
The first samples of welded joints made on the new equipment underwent ultrasonic flaw detection — not a single defect was found. This confirmed that the technology meets the most stringent requirements for reliability and durability.