Collaborative venture develops laser cutting of carbon fibre components

Volkswagen is working with Laser Zentrum Hannover and other partners to develop a laser process for automated cutting of carbon fibre fibre-reinforced plastic components to make it possible to use the lightweight material for mass production in the automotive industry. In comparison to conventional technologies, lasers can be used for non-contact, high precision processing without tool wear, and simultaneously the process has high reproducibility and flexibility. The main hurdles for using laser processing for CFRP are at present an incomplete understanding of the process and a lack of sufficiently developed processes. Source :  http://www.twi-global.com/news-events/industry-updates/equipment-consumables-and-materials-industry/