Primetals Technologies has received a contract from Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd, a Japanese steel producer, to modernize a pickling line at its Kudamatsu plant. The project will upgrade coil handling with new entry-side transport equipment, replace existing pickling tanks with polypropylene tanks, and install an advanced laser welding machine (LBW).
The new entry-side equipment will automate coil transport from the coil yard to the process line, greatly improving handling efficiency. Switching to polypropylene tanks will simplify maintenance by removing the need for multi-material tank structures. The upgraded LBW will feature Primetals Technologies’ latest laser cutting head and a spatter-free welding head, with project completion planned for 2028. This will be the first implementation of the LBW solution in Japan.
The LBW system combines laser cutting and welding, using proprietary technology to process steel sheets up to 9.0 millimeters thick, expanding product capabilities. By using laser cutting instead of traditional shear blades, the system eliminates reaction forces, ensuring the precision needed for high-quality laser welding. Maintenance is also improved by removing the need for regular blade replacement and clearance adjustments.
A newly developed optical design allows the LBW to weld at high speeds with minimal spatter, increasing both reliability and productivity compared to conventional fiber laser welding.