High Power Diode Lasers for Cutting of Thick Metal Sheets
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The term "high brightness", which combines high optical power with good beam quality was so far only marginally related to High Power Diode Lasers (HPDL). Therefore, cutting of several mm thick steel sheets with good quality and reasonable cutting speed by means of HPDL was hardly conceivable so far.
Through recent progress on HPDL modules and their optical interconnection using special micro-optics, a 2.5 kW laser with high power and also high brightness was now demonstrated by LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH. The specialists for laser beam shaping in Dortmund have studied the potential for applications in materials processing together with the Laser Centre at the University of Applied Sciences Münster (LFM). For this purpose, the light of the 2.5 kW laser was fed by an optical fiber (core diameter 400 microns) to a newly designed processing head from LIMO (focal length 120 mm). The metal processing was performed on an industrial CNC machining facility. The cutting process was optimized using the methodology of "Design of Experiments" including variation of nozzle geometries and diameters.
LIMO and the LFM cooperate within the joint project BRILAMET (brilliant high power diode lasers for metal processing) which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This project is supported by the BMBF program "KMU-Innovativ, Optische Technologien" (Optical Technologies in innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, promotional reference: 13N12282). As a result of a successful milestone, laser cutting of steel was demonstrated: 6 mm thick stainless steel (1.4301) was cut at 1.1 m/min and 6 mm thick mild steel (1.0038) at 2 m/min. In both cases, a very good cutting quality was achieved with a roughness Rz < 35 microns and a negligible dross on the kerf (< 30 microns). In the further course of the project, these investigations will be continuously extended. LIMO is going to increase the optical output power of the laser up to 4 kW while keeping the brightness on a high level.
For further information www.limo.de.
About LIMO:
Since its foundation in 1992 LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH has been known as one of the leading companies in laser beam shaping. At LIMO's headquarter in Dortmund an international team of more than 240 specialists develops, manufactures and sells innovative micro-optics and laser systems. We are the only company worldwide whose core competence uniquely combines optics design with laser systems and materials processing know-how. This makes LIMO an important and reliable partner for customers in various industries, e.g. in semiconductor manufacturing, flat panel display production, medical equipment manufacturing or in the automotive industry, who are looking for unique customer-specific solutions.
For more product information:Â Â Â
LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH
Dr. Jens Meinschien
VP Research & Development
Phone: +49 - 231 - 22 24 1 - 130
Fax: +49 - 231 - 22 24 1 - 140
j.meinschien@limo.deÂ
Press and media contact:
LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik GmbH
Katrin Theiler
PR & Marketing
Phone: +49 - 231 - 22 24 1 - 270
Fax: +49 - 231 - 22 24 1 - 140
k.theiler@limo.de
www.limo.de
Laser Centre of the University of Applied Sciences Münster (LFM)
Jürgen Gröninger
Phone: +49 - 2551 - 962 - 323
Fax: +49 - 2551 - 962 - 490
groening@fh-muenster.de
www.lfm-online.de
