Overview
Hybrid Laser Arc Welding Economic Viability Study (2010-391)
Project Team:
- Bollinger Shipyards
- Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Gulf Coast
- Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory
2010
NSRP ASE Investment: $84K
Objective:
Hybrid laser arc welding (HLAW), as it applies to thin steel panel structures including panel seams and the fabrication of T-stiffeners, has been demonstrated to be a technical success. Achievements include a measured 400% reduction in distortion in butt welding (Kelly, 2009), and ABS qualification for the fabrication of hybrid welded HSLA-80 T-beams (Oller, 2009). While improvements in conventional welding processes cannot offer such significant cost savings, the lack of an industry-vetted business case has impeded implementation of HLAW within the shipyard.
The overall goal of this project was to determine economic viability of hybrid laser arc welding technology. The team successfully acquired supporting data for constructing a business case to produce HLAW panels at Tier 1 and 2 shipyards by defining the following: (1) All production and quality assurance costs associated with current panel line welding processes as they are incurred through module assembly; (2) A HLAW training program and associated costs to implement at the shipyards; (3) System specifications and ROM implementation costs for HLAW implementation at these shipyards.
Key Deliverables:
Request Final Report from NSRP – Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. shipyards and NSRP ASE Program representatives