Aluminum engine blocks are significantly lighter than their conventional cast iron predecessors. However, in order to make them durable, the cylinder surfaces must be lined with a wear-resistant coating. The internal processing laser head (IBK) developed by the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) can be used to prepare the inner surfaces of the cylinder. The IBK is already used in in series production, the new generation R7 has now been delivered.

The IBK was further developed in close cooperation with the customer. In the new IBK R7, the sensor technology for monitoring the process monitoring is fully integrated, and system is much easier to use than its predecessors. In addition, the radiation path has been optimized to prevent soiling.

Rotating laser beam structures the aluminum surface
The IBK consists of a spindle with a rotating beam deflection element attached to the end. During the processing, a focused laser beam emerges from the end. The spindle lowers into the bore and the end of the spindle rotates together with the deflection element. In this way, trench-like structures are introduced into the surface that is to be roughened. A special cleaning step after roughening and before coating, such as after corundum blasting, is not necessary. Since the IBK works virtually wear-free, laser roughening is superior to conventional machining processes.

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