Abstract
The diversification of consumer needs and the ephemeralization of product life cycles also continue to progress in industry. Overall production systems have changed from high-mix low-volume production manufacturing to various types and quantities. Based on this background, the cell production system is receiving attention because it can achieve various types and quantities. We can add lasers to machine tools as heat resources and for such uses as quenching and tempering. In this study, we found that through-thickness hardening was possible using a low-powered diode laser for 0.5-mm-thick carbon steel sheets. We demonstrated that laser hardening lowered the environmental load more than furnace hardening for a target of small parts.
