Open AccessMetal Cutting with Multi kW Diode Laser
Author(s) -
Lentjes Marco,
Bruns Peter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
laser technik journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1863-9119
pISSN - 1613-7728
DOI - 10.1002/latj.201290051
Subject(s) - materials science , laser , diode , context (archaeology) , laser cutting , brightness , optoelectronics , laser diode , laser beam quality , optics , laser beams , physics , paleontology , biology
Cutting roughness lower than 10 μm and a wall‐plug efficiency of 30% including cooling are two nameable advantages when speaking about direct diode laser cutting of metals. Emphasizing in this context “direct diode laser” stress that metal cutting with a diode laser is not a conventional process. However, steady developments in diode bar technology enabled the design of a high brightness diode laser system with 2 kW output power and a beam parameter product of 22 mm*mrad. This now commercially available “DIOCUT” system is ready to enter the laser macro cutting market. The applicability of this system is demonstrated by cutting aluminum, stainless steel, copper and mild steel. The cutting edge quality is comparable with CO 2 laser cuts. On our roadmap is higher output power at equal beam quality in near future.