The Soni-Shape-Laser consortium will host a free Open Day on Thursday 17 September 2026 (09:30–16:00 BST) at the IMC Auditorium, WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry.
The project is developing a platform for laser welding of high-grade aluminium EV battery cases, combining ultrasonic-assisted laser welding with free-form beam shaping. Autogenous laser welding of extruded 6xxx aluminium alloys remains challenging due to their susceptibility to solidification cracking; shaped beams reduce thermal gradients to mitigate centreline cracking, while ultrasonic vibration generates acoustic streaming and cavitation in the melt pool, promoting dendritic fragmentation and grain refinement.
Attendees will be able to meet the consortium partners — Carrs Welding Technologies (CWT), PowerPhotonic, WMG and IONETIC — experience a live demonstration of the production-scale demonstrator, hear the latest research findings and explore future collaboration opportunities.
Attendance is free of charge. Register at www.sonishapelaser.com, or contact Phil Carr (pc@cwt-group.com) for further information.
Author: Andy Cormack
