News: Optoelectronics
18 April 2022
Laserline showcasing first blue diode laser with 3kW CW output
In Hall A5 (Booth 305) at the Laser World of Photonics 2022 in Munich (26-29 April), Laserline GmbH of Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany, which manufactures diode lasers for industrial material processing, is presenting what it claims is the first blue diode laser with 3kW CW output power. Designed especially for welding, cladding and additive manufacturing of copper components, the laser is a further milestone in the power development of blue high-power diode lasers.
The second key topic being exhibited is the new high-power-cladding solution based on a 45kW infrared (IR) diode laser, developed in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS) in Dresden to optimize the industrial cladding of components that are subject to wear and corrosion.
Blue 3kW diode laser for more effective and energy-efficient copper processing
Back in 2019, Laserline had already presented the first blue CW diode laser with 1kW CW output power, whose power was subsequently raised to 2kW just a year later. The blue 3kW diode laser being showcased now exhibits what is said to be the highest performance class of industrial lasers in the blue wavelength spectrum to date.
In line with the 1kW and 2kW Laserline diode lasers, the new laser operates at a wavelength of around 445nm. Compared with infrared radiation, this spectral range is absorbed much better by non-ferrous metals such as copper and gold. Among other benefits, this allows the heat conduction welding of copper components close to the surface, along with more energy-efficient and climate-friendly processes.
Increasing the CW output power to 3kW now enables additional application options. In joining and cladding processes, much faster welds and higher deposition rates can be achieved. In the case of keyhole welding of electrical conductors such as copper hairpins, larger cross-sections can be handled with moderate heat input using blue lasers only. Where hybrid solutions combining blue and infrared lasers continue to be required, less infrared energy is needed today. This clearly optimizes the operation costs and the CO2 balance of the applications.
Furthermore, the new laser power class enables more efficient additive manufacturing of large and volume-rich copper components. At the Laserline booth, these new application possibilities are being discussed in detail before being demonstrated with the help of different welding and cladding samples.
Cladding with up to 45kW laser power: higher order rates - bigger quantity
The high-power-cladding solution being presented shows the next expansion of a method that was established by Fraunhofer IWS using the Laserline IR diode laser with output power of 20kW. In some cases it even exceeds the application rates in PTA (plasma transferred arc) cladding.
Being the first process of its kind, it enables wear- and corrosion-protection coatings for large components such as power plant elements, brake discs, hydraulic cylinders or plain bearings to be readily implemented for series production and in a cost-effective manner. Access to the use of a higher diode laser power class with up to 45kW output power further increases the efficiency and productivity of the process. This enables higher order rates and larger quantities at reduced process costs.
The solution and its benefits are being demonstrated at the booth using a 45kW IR diode laser. Furthermore, videos, animated illustrations of powder-based laser cladding processes and samples of cladded components are being presented.
More information about the high-power-cladding solution and its system requirements is also available from Fraunhofer IWS at the Fraunhofer joint booth in Hall A6, Booth 441.
