1.0 Technical Information
The LSLM consists of two longitudinal structural beams, which are placed parallel on each side of the surface to be machined. The beams are supported from the surrounding floor or the actual component being machined. A gantry constructed of a pair of beams similar to the above, attach onto and travel upon each longitudinal beam via precision linear bearing mounted onto the structural beams. The gantry extends across the entire surface to be machined.

A saddle plate is mounted across the gantry beam linear rails supporting an electronically controlled milling head assembly. The milling head travels unobstructed across the gantry (in an X-axis direction) and the gantry along the longitudinal beams (in a Y-axis direction) thus being able to access any X-Y coordinate within the longitudinal beams.

A scanning laser source is secured on a pedestal at one end of the job and used to:

1. Survey the original ‘as found’ condition of the surface.
2. Select and confirm the ‘plane of best fit’.
3. Establish reference datum points to enable the selected plane to be reproduced if the laser source is disturbed.
4. Adjust the structural mill beams and the milling head parallel to the plane, of best fit.
5. Monitor progressive machining results during the project.
6. Confirm machining results upon completion.

The milling head assembly automatically corrects to the laser plane regardless of the mechanical positional error subjected to the saddle plate.

The LSLM can perform a variety of milling applications including slots, grooves, and edges.

2.0 Advantages
The LSLM produces extremely accurate results.

The LSLM design simply maintains the milling cutter parallel to the laser plane, correcting structural and thermal distortion errors of conventional portable equipment.

The LSLM can electronically follow the laser plane to 0.01mm (0.0004”) during applications performed indoors or during the night. Completed surfaces within an overall flatness envelope of 0.1mm (0.004”) or better, are normal over an area 5 meters by 4 meters.

The LSLM is lightweight and simple to assemble relative to the sizes being machined.

The LSLM was specifically designed to machine the horizontal sealing surfaces of steam turbines in a single set-up.

The LSLM can be supported around large components without placing weights on the item being machined. This avoids distortion and resulting machining errors.

Conventional portable fixed bed mills usually require several set-ups that compound errors. The LSLM generally avoids the requirement for multiple set-ups.

The use of the laser to both control the head and monitor results makes quality work on large areas very practical.

3.0 Capacity and Shipping
The standard milling range of the LSLM in a single set-up is 8 x 17 meters (26 x 55 ft).

The LSLM can be extended on either axis to accommodate specific applications.

The largest project machined to date has been two machinery beds each 8 meters x 17 meters.

Shipped in a 20ft sea freight container.