MAPAL has commissioned a new, unique laser hardening system in manufacturing, which will gradually take over all the tasks that were previously carried out in a salt bath in the hardening workshop. This not only has advantages in terms of quality, but also protects the health of the employees as well as the environment.
Different hardening processes can make different workpiece materials harder, therefore making them more resistant. At MAPAL, among other things, different tool connections are hardened. These safety-related parts are exposed to high forces. Hardening ensures that the tool connection has a long tool life despite these forces and despite multiple insertions and replacements, and that it is reliable in performing its service.
Up to now, the tool connections made of tempered steel at MAPAL have primarily been hardened in a salt bath – the usual process. That being said, it is not possible to determine down to the µm how much of the workpiece material is hardened. This can result in quality problems or difficulties in the further processing of the connections. For this reason, comprehensive quality controls were mandatory after hardening.
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