S. Mueller, C. Bratt, Fraunhofer USA, Plymouth, MI
High power fiber and disk lasers offer large improvements over conventional CO2 and lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser technology in terms of beam quality, electrical efficiency, power scalability, reliability and lifetime. High beam quality characteristics make the fiber and the disk lasers interesting for applications such as remote welding, deep penetration welding and high speed welding, where previously only CO2 lasers were considered. The beam quality of recent fiber and disk lasers are comparable to CO2 lasers and the laser power available with fiber lasers ranges up to 20 kW. This paper gives an overview of the technology of both types of lasers, and shows the differences and advantages compared to the CO2 laser. The paper also describes new application developments for the automotive and aerospace industries using high power fiber and disk lasers. Narrow welds can be generated with low heat input and high weld speeds. The fiber delivery of the beam makes it possible to use a robot for operating a welding head or a remote scanning head, and allows fast and flexible processing. The high beam quality allows a larger working distance and an increased field of work using a remote scanning head. Results will be shown from work done at the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications on laser welding of Steel, Cast Iron, Aluminum and Titanium alloys.
Summary: High power fiber and disk lasers offer large improvements over conventional CO2 and lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser technology. High beam quality characteristics make the fiber and disk lasers interesting for applications such as remote welding, deep penetration welding and high speed welding, where previously only CO2 lasers were considered. Results will be shown from work done at the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications on laser welding of Steel, Cast Iron, Aluminum and Titanium alloys.
