Honda develops high-power laser cutting machines for automotive applications

According to the Nikkei Asia Review, Honda Motor has developed a production system that uses laser to cut body parts and steel plates and became the first company to use a similar system for mass production of automobiles.

The system is jointly promoted by Honda's R & D unit Honda Engineering and large-scale production equipment R & D and manufacturer Hitachi Shipbuilding Society.

Ordinary laser cutting machine on the market is not enough power, cutting steel need to consume too much time, it is not suitable for car production. The Honda and Hitachi developed high-speed laser beam can move at high speed and can provide tens of thousands of steel plate equipment, you can meet the needs of automotive mass production. The system cuts the steel faster than ordinary laser cutting machines on the market about ten times faster.

Honda's system has many benefits. It is learned that the traditional method of using metal molds to produce automotive parts lacks the flexibility to change the design once mass production begins. For this reason, car makers often reuse the same metal molds before design updates, but this may take years. Honda equipped with a new laser cutting machine system can be flexible to change the part design, and only modify the system program settings can be. And because eliminating the need to develop the production of metal molds, the cost will also be reduced. In general, it costs tens of millions of yen (10 million yen ≈ 572,000 yuan) to develop and produce metal molds that can cut relatively large components such as doors and roofs.

The system also makes it easier for low-volume cars to make money, so Honda will be able to produce more unique new models. Honda's reputation comes in part from the ability to produce vehicles with first-class design. S660 and NXS are Honda's proud of.

Currently, the Honda Plant in Yoru-machi, Saitama Prefecture has installed the system to produce Honda's Fit and Vezel multi-purpose vehicles. Honda plans to roll out the system to other plants, including plants in North America.