Advantages of Fiber Lasers Showcased at the Battery Show 2012
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The processing advantages of fiber lasers will be showcased by JK Lasers when it makes its debut appearance at The Battery Show, Detroit, between 13 and 15 November.
Exhibiting on booth B738, the global industrial laser manufacturer will display its 1kW fiber laser (JK1000FL) and offer visitors free sample processing in its specialist applications laboratories.
Fiber lasers present battery manufacturers with a range of benefits compared to traditional techniques, producing the necessary energy and discreet pulses to spot weld sensitive cell components at speed without distortion.
In advanced cell chemistries such as lithium cells, fiber lasers can create hermetic seals; whilst for hybrid vehicle and high-tech space-based batteries, lasers can join multiple thin plates as well as weld or braze components together. This configuration can help optimise the energy per unit volume.
When a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, heat-dissipating, robust and affordable package is required, aluminum is usually the first choice. Aluminium is a highly reflective material that redirects around 92% of visible light and up to 98% of medium and far infrared radiation. This means that light from the laser can be reflected back onto the delivery fibres, causing damage.
To avoid this damage, JK Lasers has integrated a patented system into its lasers that directs back reflected light away from the delivery fibres and into a beam dump. This eliminates the need for a separate Faraday isolator. Back reflection levels are continually monitored and an automatic shutdown is triggered if acceptable limits are exceeded.
JK Fiber Lasers are also capable of welding dissimilar materials commonly found in some batteries, such as aluminium alloys and pure copper. JK Lasers conducted welding trials on aluminium alloy (3003) and pure copper (C101) using a 400W single mode (SM) fiber laser to produce welds with consistent topbead and underbead with minimal spattering.
The JK Fiber Laser range offers flexible fibre delivery options that can further enhance battery processing. Beam-switch time-share maximises productivity by eliminating system load and unload times and energy-sharing enables simultaneous laser welding on one part. By having welding forces equal and opposite when positioned symmetrically on a part, distortion can be avoided and cycle times can be improved.
Andrew Dodd, JK Lasers' Sales Director for North America, said: "We look forward to exhibiting at The Battery Show for the first time, where we plan to meet new and existing customers alike. Over the past 40 years we have established an unrivalled reputation for manufacturing industrial lasers for a wide range of applications, including battery processing.
"The show is a great opportunity for people to learn how fiber lasers can improve battery production and we will be inviting them to leave samples for free processing in our specialist applications laboratories. We're confident the results will speak for themselves."
Delivering a range of fiber lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, process tools and software, JK Lasers is dedicated to helping manufacturers choose the most suitable solution for their cutting, welding and drilling requirements. For more information, visit www.jklasers.com.
The Battery Show 2012 is the USA's premier exhibition for advanced battery technology. Attended by technical leaders, scientists, engineers, project leaders, buyers and senior executives, the event showcases advanced battery solutions for electric and hybrid vehicles, utility and renewable energy support, portable electronics, medical technology, military, and telecommunications. For more information, visit www.thebatteryshow.com.
Editorial enquiries, please contact Louise Lloyd-Jones, Marketing Copywriter for JK Lasers, on +44 (0)1788 517953 or email llloyd-jones@gsig.com.
