ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | SEPTEMBER 2023 26 well suited for cutting highly reflective materials and the excellent cut quality allows for denser nesting of parts, improving material utilization (Fig. 1). IPG Quasi-Continuous Wave (QCW) lasers provide high peak powers and pulse energies required for high throughput drilling applications. Welding, Brazing, and Soldering. CW and QCW lasers provide noncontact high speed welding across numerous industries. When compared to traditional processes such as MIG and TIG, the high brightness of the laser beam minimizes heat input, resulting in minimal distortion and significant reduction in post processing. New technologies that further improve processing results include IPG’s adjustable mode beam (AMB) lasers, which utilize a small spot inner core beam and a larger ring-shaped beam with independent power adjustment. This beam combination stabilizes the melt pool, minimizing spatter, cracking, and porosity at high welding speeds, critical to applications such as battery welding for e-mobility applications. Real-Time Laser Weld Measurement. Manufacturers also benefit from advances in real-time inline coherent imaging to reduce scrap and facilitate early detection of defective sub-assemblies. IPG real-time weld measurement systems perform five simultaneous process measurements during the weld. Data is consolidated into concise and actionable quality data from a single system. A low-power beam conducts measurements through the same optics that deliver the welding laser to workpiece. Seam profile and location are measured ahead of the weld. Keyhole depth measures actual weld penetration in real-time. The transverse profile and finished weld surface are also measured. These measures assure that every part produced meets stringent quality standards and customer expectations. Handheld Laser Welding and Cleaning. Finally, handheld laser welding brings the advantages of welding with light to completely new industries such as sheet metal shops and fabricators. Preset weld parameters and integrated wobble weld functions produce faster and high-quality repeatable results with minimal distortion for operators of all skill levels (Fig. 2). Lightweight and air cooled systems can weld material up to 6.35 mm thick as well as perform pre-weld and post-weld cleaning operations. Laser Marking and Surface Processing. Laser marking offers durability, simple programming, and marking speeds not available with other technology. Compatible with metals, ceramics, delicate polymers, and even glass, the dramatic reduction in laser costs makes laser marking systems highly affordable and the marking technology of choice where quality and durability are required. IPG PicoBlack is a black marking process that produces permanent, non-fade, and corrosion-resistant marks. This technology is suited for unique device identification marking for products such as medical devices that must withstand repeated sterilizations. Automated Laser Cleaning. The low-maintenance, easily automated process of laser cleaning and surface preparation is used to remove oil and grease, strip paint or coatings, or modify surface texture. No abrasive materials or solvents are used providing an environmentally friendly process. Laser cleaning is also spatially selective, saving time and costs by cleaning only the areas required (Fig. 3). For example, the IPG Ablation LaserCell is a cutting-edge robotic laser system that completely automates the cleaning, coating removal, and surface Fig. 2 — Handheld laser welding systems are easy to set up and easy to operate. Fig. 3 — Eco-friendly laser cleaning requires no abrasives or solvents. Fig. 1 — IPG’s LaserCube systems easily process highly reflective materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and copper.
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