Continental Romania Invests EUR 2.1 Million in Laser Welding Technology

Automotive parts supplier Continental Romania said Thursday that it has invested EUR2.1 million (about USD2.41 million) in the introduction of laser technology at Contitech, an air conditioning pipe manufacturing plant in Timisoara.
A machine for laser welding of automotive air conditioning ducts was developed by a team at the plant, Continental Romania said in a press release.
The machine is based on top laser technology and can weld connectors for all types of air conditioning ducts, including charge valves. The concept is not only suitable for series production, but also for research and development activities in the field of laser welding.
"By replacing the traditional flame welding process with a laser, we can reduce the consumption of 700,000 liters of LPG per year. This consumption generates temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius in the production hall and emits 420,000 cubic meters of carbon dioxide. Thanks to the new process, we no longer need to cool the production hall by means of an air-conditioning system, thus reducing electricity consumption." Silviu Oana, process engineer at Contitech Romania, said.
"The Timisoara team turned this challenge into an innovative and successful project. This is just the beginning. By the end of this year, we will have two additional laser machines in operation, ready to deliver the highest quality products to our customers worldwide." Maik Niewoehner, Managing Director of Contitech Romania, said.
The Timisoara plant, which opened in 2002, is one of seven Continental plants in Romania. Here, air conditioning systems, power steering and chassis control systems as well as transmission and distribution belts for automobiles are produced. Each year, the Timisoara plant produces around 24 million products.
In July of this year, Continental's Tire Division acquired a former industrial platform in Timisoara to expand its storage capacity and optimize overall logistics costs.