Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company with established core businesses in the automotive, building and energy storage industries, is a participant in the laser technology project LASHARE, funded by the European Union. As an industry partner, the company is part of 14 “laser based equipment assessments” which aims to develop a laser-assisted roll forming process for sheet metal processing. Andreas Dannheisig, manager new technologies at Johnson Controls Automotive Seating, is also a member of the steering committee for the overall project.
“Johnson Controls is working continuously on developing new production processes. Laser technology offers numerous opportunities to expand process capacities and optimize material properties,” said Andreas Eppinger, group vice president technology management at Johnson Controls Automotive Seating. “LASHARE offers great opportunities to develop a new production process and to cooperate with laser experts from science and the corporate world.”
Within the scope of LASHARE, Johnson Controls is working on the laser-assisted roll forming process with the Spanish technology center AIMEN and Spanish laser technology manufacturer MONOCROM. The partners are developing this roll-forming process for steel rear- seat structures to reduce material cost and weight while enhancing the formability of steel. In Johnson Controls’ metals plant in Hilchenbach, Germany, they are setting up a test production process with this new technology.
Approximately 30 companies and six leading laser technology institutes from across Europe are participating in LASHARE with 14 laser-based equipment assessments under the leadership of the Frauenhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen. The project’s goal is not only to identify innovations in laser technology, but also to bring together companies and institutions involved in this field across Europe.
