Technology update
Laser advancements
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Lumonics, designer, developer, and producer of laser-based manufacturing systems for the aerospace industry, is supplying what is described by the company as Europe's first integrated, high-power Nd:YAG laser and high-power carbon dioxide laser system to Liverpool University in the United Kingdom. A Lumonics MultiWave-Auto 4kWNd:YAG laser system and a Laserdyne 890 BeamDirector multi-axis machine are being installed at the university's Laser Engineering Center. High power Nd:YAG lasers allow either very high-speed processing of thin materials or welding of thicker sections at lower speeds. Improvements in existing performance are also possible for cutting and surface treatments.
"These higher powers are delivered to the workpiece by flexible fiber optic cables, thereby simplifying access to the component. The Laserdyne 890 moving bridge system can position the beam in five axes, providing multiple set-ups of similar or different parts, as well as easy access and simplified tooling," explains Lumonics. The 890 can process very large pieces. It has a processing envelope of 2.4 x 1.8 m. (7.87 ft x 5.9 ft).
Liverpool University's large research group for laser processing operates some 20 major research programs, working with major partners, other universities, and research institutions. Its new laser system will be used for laser direct casting for rapid generation of metal or alloy parts of complex shape, directly from materials in powder form, without the use of molds; laser bending for non-contact metal forming and alignment or correction of metal structures; laser welding of complex 3D forms, employing CATIA software interface; and laser cutting of complex parts.
Stuart Birch
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