SL Laser is expanding the use of laser projection technology in metalworking, with systems designed to improve positioning accuracy, reduce setup time, and remove manual interpretation errors from shop floor workflows.
The company’s projection systems transfer CAD-based positioning data directly onto work surfaces, welding tables, and assemblies at true 1:1 scale. Operators can position components without physical templates, repeated manual measurement, or printed drawings that may no longer reflect the latest design change.
In metal fabrication, setup errors often occur before welding, drilling, bending, or assembly begins. A misread drawing or incorrectly placed stop line can waste material and labour quickly, particularly on complex assemblies where an error may only become visible after several downstream operations.
SL Laser’s ProDirector 7 systems project stop lines, measuring points, contours, and complete work plans directly onto the workpiece. The projectors can be installed permanently above a welding table or integrated into rail systems that allow projection across larger working areas.
By accepting DXF, IGES, and other CAD-derived data, the software allows design modifications to be transferred directly into projection workflows. Shorter production runs and frequent engineering changes can therefore be managed without manufacturing new templates or issuing revised drawings to each workstation.
SL Laser says customers in the metal sector have recorded substantial productivity gains. In one reported example, Holl-Stahlbau GmbH doubled productivity in tacking stair railings after introducing projection lasers, while component waste caused by drawing interpretation errors was reduced to zero.
The systems are designed for demanding industrial environments, with dust-tight construction supporting use in metalworking, woodworking, composite manufacturing, and precast concrete production. Variants of the ProDirector 7 can be specified for different projection distances, workspaces, and mounting arrangements.
As component complexity rises and production cycles shorten, projecting verified digital geometry directly onto the workpiece gives fabricators a practical way to improve repeatability without turning every workstation into a metrology cell. Setup moves closer to the source CAD model, while operators retain a clear visual reference at the point of work.
Further technical information on the ProDirector 7 laser projector is available from SL Laser.
