High power continuous wave fiber lasers are highly useful in cutting, welding, drilling and surface melting of metal sheets and pipes remotely with minimum heat affected zone, distortion and shrinkage. Technology for fabrication and assembly of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser for material processing applications along with its power supply is available. This laser is capable of cutting of up to 8 mm thick SS sheets and welding of up to 2 mm depth in SS.

Detailed Technical Brochure

High power continuous wave fiber lasers are highly useful in cutting, welding, drilling and surface melting of metal sheets and pipes remotely with minimum heat affected zone, distortion and shrinkage. Technology for fabrication and assembly of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser for material processing applications along with its power supply is available. This laser is capable of cutting of up to 8 mm thick SS sheets and welding of up to 2 mm depth in SS. Fabrication and assembly of laser cutting and welding heads along with recipe for cutting and welding process optimization for different metals/alloys will also be part of technology translation. This laser has also potential application in laser additive manufacturing of metal components. Fig. 1 shows a view of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser developed at RRCAT.

Laser system parameters:

Additional requirements for laser cutting/welding:

1. XY-table or CNC workstation for cutting and welding.
2. High pressure gas (compressed air, Oxygen at ~ 10 bar).
3. Rotary stage for circumferential welding.
4. For high quality welding, vacuum chamber/inert atmosphere with argon purging.

Performance/ Results of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser for material processing applications

A few prototype units of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser for material processing applications have been fabricated. All these lasers provided similar performance in terms of power level and cutting/welding capability. System is reproducible when similar components are used from different sources.

Mandatory Facilities required for Commercial Production

Following are the details of the facilities required for commercial production of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fiber laser for material processing applications:

Floor Area:

A minimum floor area of size of 10 m x 10 m is required to start the commercial production of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fibre laser. The area must have at least two rigid working tables of size 2 m x 1.5 m.

Electrical Connection:

The workshop should have at least 3 No. of 3 phase, neutral, ground (415 A, 40 A) MCBs with 3 kW power consumption capabilities along with 220 V AC, 5 A, single phase electrical distribution board connections.

Basic facilities required

• The workshop should be equipped with basic machining facilities such as bench vice, electrical drill machines and basic machining/fitting too kit.
• The basic facilities related to lasers like power meter, infra-red laser viewing cards, optics cleaning paper, acetone, etc. should be available in the workshop.
• The basic facilities related to electronics like digital multi meter, digital storage oscilloscope, soldering iron, wire cutter, wire stripper etc. must be available in the workshop.

Man Power

A minimum of four persons with following educational qualifications are required to start the commercial production of 1 kW monolithic single mode Yb-doped CW fibre laser.

1. Engineer (02):

Two engineers, one having M. Tech./M.Sc. degree in physics with optoelectronics specialization and another having B. Tech./ M. Tech. degree in Electrical/Electronics.

1. Technicians Mechanical Fitter (01):

The Fitter must have ITI certificate in Fitter Trade with 2 years of work experience.

1. Electronics (01):

He must have ITI certificate in Electronics Trade with 2 years of work experience in the field wiring of electronic instruments and PCB soldering. The Electronic Technician should have diploma in Electronics/Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering.