New laser welding machine secures competitive position and access to industries with high growth potential
Schoeller has completed the installation of one of the largest and most advanced laser welding systems in the industry, following around two years of planning and preparation. The new technology represents the largest single investment in the company’s history and reaffirms Schoeller’s commitment as an innovation leader and to strengthening its competitive position.
Laser welding is the key future technology in the steel and stainless steel processing industry. As part of its ongoing site development strategy, Schoeller has decided to bundle the existing laser technology into a specialized competence center. This initiative prioritizes the standardization and automation of the machinery and includes the acquisition of a large tube laser welding system (“Laser XL+”).
This new system, measuring an impressive dimension of 96 x 11.5 meters, will serve as the centerpiece of the laser competence center in Hellenthal. The XL+ category laser welding machine specializes in the production of longitudinally welded stainless steel tubes ranging from 65 mm to 127 mm in diameter with a wall thickness of 0.7 mm to 3.5 mm and is unique in its configuration within the industry.
Schoeller’s technical project management began preparations for the installation and commissioning of the system nearly two years ago. Since then, the team has ensured all organizational and technical prerequisites for an orderly handover to production. This effort required close coordination and alignment across virtually all internal departments and teams. The collaboration between internal teams, combined with the involvement of numerous external service providers and overlaps with other projects, increased the complexity of the project considerably. At times, up to seven different companies with approximately 30 people worked simultaneously on-site, adding to the complexity of the project. (see our news release from 31. October 2024 for additional info and video)
In the remaining weeks of this year, the machine will undergo commissioning and parameter optimization to prepare for full-scale production. The system features a high degree of automation and thus significantly reduces the manual work previously required. This includes a fully automated coil changing process (automatic coil loading and welding of the strip ends), advanced tube cleaning technology, fully automated quality control, further improved tube end processing and automated packaging of finished tubes. The system can process austenitic, ferritic and duplex steels.
With the Laser XL+, Schoeller is further expanding its expertise and quality advantage in the areas of strip edge processing and seam quality, while unlocking new market potential in larger tube dimensions. This development benefits existing customers and opens doors to high growth sectors such as heating technology, heat exchangers, hydrogen applications, and solar technology. Additional potential arises in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and automotive industries.
“With our investment in laser technology, we aim not only to strengthen our technological leadership and production capacities in the European market for welded and redrawn stainless steel tubes. The system also reaffirms our strong commitment to the Hellenthal site and our Eifel-based production. Above all, the Laser XL+ provides our employees with a future-oriented and technologically sophisticated working environment, offering opportunities to develop new areas of expertise. This makes us an even more attractive employer for qualified specialists,” explains Alexander Mertens, Managing Director of Schoeller.
A key part of Schoeller’s range of services is its solution-oriented consulting, which regularly supports customer-centered development projects (co-creation). The company will therefore make the potential of the new system available to its customers. They can use the machine to test projects with high material and manufacturing technology requirements, developing them together with Schoeller all the way to series production. Schoeller’s comprehensive expertise ensures the best solution and makes a significant contribution to the customer’s success.