Projects

Thanks to new brillant high-performance laser beam sources and suitable system technology, it is now possible to realize quasi-simultaneous laser processing in large working areas (up to 1 m²). The remote system is a universal tool in which a laser beam is deflected onto the component via fast-tilting mirrors. It can be used for cutting, welding, ablating, marking or hardening various materials such as metal, textiles or plastics. This flexibility and a significant reduction in investment costs have led more and more small and medium-sized companies to consider acquiring this modern system technology. Current concerns are based on a missing understanding of the system design and process as well as environmental and occupational health and safety issues in laser remote processing, since in this case it is not possible to extract at the operating point, but processing emissions occur throughout the entire working area.

These parameters therefore require the setup of a generally valid process understanding as well as the development of flexible gas supply and extraction solutions up to integrated concepts for subsequent component cleaning.

During laser structuring with high-power lasers, the number and size distribution of the emitted particles as well as the composition of the harmful gases are determined and evaluated on selected relevant materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with duromer matrix and stainless steel in a closed and exhausted chamber. In addition, samples are taken from the processing chamber in order to subsequently detect the non-exhausted particles by light microscopic classification.

Based on these results, an application-adapted model for flow simulation can subsequently be developed, which enables the generation of design regulations for efficient emission control.

Depending on the particles and contaminations deposited directly on the component, additional local cleaning processes can be integrated into the remote system.