2011 Laser Welding Applications for BIW Closures
Auburn Hills, MI., February 16, 2011 –
HIROTEC AMERICA, Inc. (HAI), an automotive supplier
specializing in closure bodyshop assembly tooling
and hemming systems, announced a collaboration with
IPG Photonics Corporation and HIGHYAG
Lasertechnologie GmbH (HIGHYAG), a subsidiary of
II-VI Incorporated (NASDAQ: IIVI), to provide laser
welding applications for body-in-white closure
panels.
This working relationship with IPG, the world
leading developer of fiber lasers and amplifiers,
and HIGHYAG, the forefront specialist in laser
processing heads and beam delivery equipment, gives
Hirotec America the ability to provide automotive
manufacturers a way to maximize production and
increase speed to market.
Laser welding is a technique that is used to join
multiple pieces of metal together seamlessly and
quickly. This versatile process also provides
further flexibility in the types of metal, as well
as the thickness of the material. High quality,
increased speed, repeatability, and processing
flexibility are a few additional advantages of laser
welding.
“We are pleased to work with these two leading
companies specializing in laser welding. Our
expertise in closure assembly tooling leveraged with
their extensive knowledge of the laser welding field
will allow us to open another door for our
customers,” said Gary Krus, Vice President of
Business Development at Hirotec America.
Earlier this year, Hirotec America was awarded their
first closure panel assembly program, utilizing
laser welding. A laser welding lab, using IPG’s
fiber optic system and HIGHYAG’s processing and beam
delivery system, will be in place at Hirotec
America’s, Auburn Hills facility by early March.
About IPG Photonics Corporation
IPG Photonics Corporation is the world leader in
high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers. Founded in
1990, IPG pioneered the development and
commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers for
use in a wide range of applications such as
materials processing, advanced, telecommunications
and medical. Fiber lasers have revolutionized the
industry by delivering superior performance,
reliability and usability at a lower total cost of
ownership compared with conventional lasers,
allowing end users to increase productivity and
decrease operating costs. IPG has its headquarters
in Oxford, Massachusetts, and has additional plants
and offices throughout the world. For more
information, please visit
www.ipgphotonics.com.
About HIGHYAG Lasertechnologie GmbH
HIGHYAG is a global corporation founded in 1995 and
is based near Berlin, Germany. HIGHYAG is a leader
in the design and manufacture of automated equipment
to deliver high-power one micron laser light for
cutting, drilling and welding in automotive,
semiconductor and other materials processing
applications. HIGHYAG produces tools for laser
materials processing, including modular laser
processing heads for fiber lasers, YAG lasers and
other one micron laser systems. HIGHYAG also
manufactures beam delivery systems including fiber
optic cables and modular beam systems. HIGHYAG is a
subsidiary of II-VI Incorporated (NASDAQ: IIVI). For
more information, please visit
www.highyag.com or
www.ii-vi.com.
About Hirotec America, Inc.
Hirotec America, Inc. is part of the HIROTEC Group
Companies that has worldwide sales in excess of 1.4
billion dollars and 21 locations worldwide. For over
20 years, Hirotec America has been providing
innovative and highly flexible closure manufacturing
solutions to automotive customers around the world.
For more information, please visit
www.hirotecamerica.com.
4567 Glenmeade Lane
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Contact:
Sarah Sliwinski
Phone:
(248) 836-5155
sarahsliwinski@hirotecamerica.com