A novel laser has been installed at the premises of Fraunhofer IWS that makes it possible to significantly expand the scope in laser material processing. Researchers of the institute and the project partner Civan Lasers are currently testing the system functionality and its limits. We invite you to discover the possibilities of materials processing with the new laser – either for Additive Manufacturing, joining or cutting in the free online workshop “Dynamic Beam Shaping – Flexible Fiber Laser for Rapid Material Processing“.
New Coherent Beam Combining for high-power lasers
The new system is based on the “Coherent Beam Combining” (CBC) method, which is still new for high-power lasers. The 13-kilowatt laser can generate different energy distribution patterns particularly quickly during operation and thus process even demanding high-tech materials very precisely and quickly. In use is Coherent Beam Combining, in which the “Dynamic Beam Laser” from the Israeli company Civan Lasers combines tens of individual beams into a powerful laser beam with high quality. Through small phase shifts (Optical Phased Array, OPA) of the wave troughs and peaks in the partial beams, the laser can quickly generate completely different energy distribution patterns in the resulting processing laser beam.
What’s in for the workshop participants?
In the first part of the workshop we will give you a general insight into the possibilities of beam shaping for laser material processing. We present you laser process solutions for difficult to weld laser materials and for laser cutting processes. The second part deals with the functions and possibilities that Coherent Beam Combining equips the new laser with. The speakers will offer insights into first results of the test phase and present two projects in which the laser is being tested for Additive Manufacturing and welding.
The workshop addresses the following users, fields and applications:
- Additive Manufacturing: Thanks to its thousands of times faster speed, Dynamic Beam Shaping can be applied for the first time to additive manufacturing applications of metals; specifically, the aim is the Additive Manufacturing of titanium and aluminum alloys, such as those needed for space components, implants and lightweight components for mobility
- Cutting and Joining of materials and their composites that are otherwise difficult to process
- Burr-free cuts with high edge quality – at twice the working speed compared to conventional fiber lasers
- Use in metal-working industry, medical technology and electromobility, as well as in aerospace industry
- Optimization of existing processes with beam shaping
We are looking forward to your participation.