Loss-reduced laser cutting of electrical sheets

Press release (Nr. XII) - Fraunhofer IWS Dresden /

In electrical machines excellent electro-magnetic properties are required for loss-reduced energy conversion of electrical into kinetic energy and vice versa. Due to their high flexibility, electrical sheet laser processing techniques become more and more important. No additional costs and setup times are caused, a fact, which facilitates short change-of-product times. Furthermore the engineer gains completely new options to design rotor and stator lamination.

Laser cutting of electrical steels
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden
Laser cutting of electrical steels
Application of a contour
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden
Application of a contour

At the Fraunhofer IWS highly productive and accurate 2-D laser cutting machines with linear drives, combinable with modern CO2 lasers or brilliant solid-state lasers, are available. Hence, all soft magnetic materials, independent of their chemical composition (silicon content > 4%) even with a thickness of 0.1 mm, can be easily processed.

In order to preserve excellent electro-magnetic properties and thus a high efficiency in energy production or conversion, it is essential to reduce the manufacturing related magnetic deterioration by a specific process development. IWS scientists optimized these processes by the help of different research methods. They studied, e.g. the process parameters to analyze the magnetic property manipulation and performed metallographic research with respect to geometrical aspects of the achieved cutting edges and cutting quality. Furthermore they developed a theoretical approach to forecast magnetic deterioration in the cutting edge region (mechanically deformed or laser induced)

The Fraunhofer IWS is one of 500 exhibitors, coming from 40 countries, who will present latest machines, products and services in the field of Coil Winding electric equipment, insulation and materials at the CWIEME Berlin. The IWS offers assistance in the cutting process optimization of manufacturing electric steel laminations for electric machines. Furthermore the scientists assist in creating design-rules for suitable laser cutting productions and in implementing modelling approaches for simulation for designing magnetic circuits.