Special Process EB Systems

A densely focused, high kinetic energy electron beam and high speed control of the electron beam enables fast and accurate through-hole drilling in workpieces, especially ones requiring tens of thousands or even millions of holes. Nearly all metals and certain ceramics can be drilled using an electron beam- independent of hardness, reflectivity, alloy type or high thermal conductivity.

The characteristics of Electron Beam (EB) drilling make what we call "drilling on the fly" possible. The inertia free control of an electron beam allows the drilling of holes with a focused beam that moves with the same speed as the part surface. This unique feature combined with a beam shaping device (stigmator) drills round holes while the part is moving. There is only one beam pulse needed to drill a hole, resulting in very high production rates and very smooth hole surfaces.

The Steigerwald Strahltechnik EBOPULS electron beam drilling system is part of the Global Beam Technologies Group product line.

The S7 EB Welder is used for high speed continuous electron beam welding of metal strips. The main uses of these machines are in the electronic industry (for contactor materials and resistors) and in the saw-blade industry (where high-speed steel is welded to spring steel support strips, making a finished material for various saw bimetal blades).

The process and parameters are continuously closed loop controlled to produce the highest quality Bi- and Tri-metal  welds. Depending upon the materials, welding speeds up to 20 m/min can be achieved.

Electron beam welds are known as very high quality welds with superior repeatability- this is also true for the non-vacuum process. All controls of the welding processes, up to the closed loop beam current controller, are integrated in the non-vacuum system.

The NVW Non-Vacuum Welders' diffused electron beam provides wider welds which cover larger part tolerances as compared to those welded in a vacuum. The characteristic fast processing is a direct result of using a welding enclosure that does not require evacuation. Very short cycle times in combination with high welding speeds (200 ipm to 450 ipm for steel & aluminum) result in a cost-effective process with fast return on investment.